LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF 
CALIFORNIA 

SAN  OiEGO 


3730 


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THE 

POETICAL  WORKS 


OF 


JAMES    THOMSON 


^ 


N  i'  \v    York 

Hurst    (isf    Company 

Publishers 


CONTENTS. 


rAOB 

'iVE  Srabovb — 

Spring 7 

Summe 89 

Autum  • 86 

Winter 123 

LiBERTT — 

Ancient  and  Modern  Italy  compared  157 

Greece 170 

Rome 184 

Britain 201 

Tlie  Prospect 235 

Castle  of  Indolence 254 

Miscellaneous — 

A  Poetical  Epistle  to  Sir  William  Bennet,  Bart.,  of 

Grubbat 302 

Lisy's  parting  witli  her  Cat 302 

Psalm   CIV.  paraphrased 304 

On  a  Country  Life 307 

On  Happiness 310 

Verses  on  receiving  a  Flower  from  his  Mistress 314 

A.n  Elegy  on  Parting     315 

To  Seraphma 816 

On  the  Hoop 316 

On  May 317 

The  Morning  in  the  Country 317 

Lines  on  Marlfifieid 818 

On   Beeu»v 319 

An  Elegy  upon  James  Therburn 322 

On  the  Death  of  his  Mother 8S« 


CONTENTS. 

To  the  Memory  of  Sir  Isaac  Newton 325 

A  Paraphrase  on  the  latter  part  of  the  Sixth  Chapter 

of  St.    Matthew 331 

The  Hiippy  Man 338 

The  Incomparable  Soporific  Doctor 333 

Hymn  on  Solitude 333 

Britannia 335 

On  the  Death  of  Mr.  Aikman 343 

On  Mrs.  Mendez'  Birthday 345 

On  the  Report  that  a  Wooden  Bridge  was  to  be  built 

at  Westminster 345 

To  his  Royal  Highness  the  Prince  of  Wales 346 

To  the  Memory  of  the  Right  Hon.  Lord  Talbot 347 

On  bolus's  Harp 356 

Hymn  to  God's  Power 357 

A  Complaint  on  the  Miseries  of  Life 358 

To  the  Rev.  Patrick  Murdoch 350 

Epitaph  on  Miss  Stanley 360 

Stanzas 361 

Pastorals — 

A  Pasto;v>i  betwixt  David,  Thirsis,  and  the  Angel  Ga- 
briel, upon  the  Birth  of  our  Savior 362 

A  Pastoral  between  Thirsis  and  Corydon,  upon  the 
Death  of  Damon,  by  whom  is  meant  Mr.  W. 
Riddell 364 

A  Pastoral  Entertainment 366 

Bongs — 

ANuptialSong 367 

To  Her  I  Love 368 

To  the  God  of  Pond  Desiii; 369 

The  Lover's  Fate 369 

To  the  Nightingale 370 

To  Myra 370 

Song.' 371 

Amanda — 

To  Love 372 

To  Amanda 373 

Verses  addressed  to  Amanda 873 


CONTENTS. 

lO  the  Same 374 

To  Fortune 374 

Come,  Gentle  God 375 

nONQS  IN  THE  MaSQUE  OP  ALFRED — 

To  Peace 875 

To  Alfred 376 

Sweet  Valley,  Say 376 

From  those  Eternal  Regions 377 

Contentment 377 

Rule,  Britanaia 878 

Pbologces  and  Epilogues — 

Epilogue  to  "Agamemnon  " ....  379 

Prologue  to  Mallet's  "  Mustupha" 379 

Prologue  to  "  Tancred  and  Sigismunda  " 380 

Epilogue  to  "  Tancred  and  Sigismunda  " 881 


THOMSON'S  POETICAL  WORKS 


THE  SEASONS. 


SPRING. 

DEDICATION , • 
TO  THE  RIGHT  HONORABLE  THE  COUNTESS  OF  HERTFORD. 

MADAM, — I  have  always  observed  that,  in  addresses  of 
this  nature,  the  general  taste  of  the  world  demands  ingenious 
turns  of  wit,  and  disguised  artful  periods,  instead  of  an 
open  sincerity  of  sentiment  flowing  in  a  plain  expression.  From 
what  secret  impatience  of  the  juslest  praise,  wlieii  bestowed  on 
others,  tbis  often  proceeds,  rather  timn  a  pretended  delicacy,  is 
beyond  my  purpose  here  to  inquire .  But  us  nothing  is  more  for- 
eign to  the  disposition  of  a  soul  sincerely  pleased  witii  the  con- 
templation of  what  is  beautiful,  and  excellent,  than  wit  and  turn  ; 
I  have  too  much  respect  for  your  ladyship's  character,  either  to 
touch  it  in  that  gay,  trifling  manner,  or  venture  on  a  particular  de- 
tail of  those  truly  amiable  qualities  of  whichil  is  composed.  A 
mind  exalted,  pure,  and  elegant,  a  heart  overflowing  with 
humanity,  and  tlie  whole  train  of  virtues  thence  derived,  that 
give  a  pleasing  spirit  to  conversation,  an  engaging  simplicity 
to  the  manners,  and  form  the  life  to  harmony,  are  rather  to  be 
felt,  and  silently  admired,  than  expressed.  I  have  attempted, 
in  the  following  poem,  to  paint  some  of  the  most  lender  l)€au- 
ties  and  delicate  appearances  of  Nature  ;  how  much  in  vain, 
your  ladyship's  taste  will,  I  am  afraid,  but  too  soon  discover  : 
yet  would  it  still  be  a  much  easier  task  to  find  expression  for 
all  that  variety  of  color,  form,  and  fragrance,  which  enrich  the 
Season  I  describe,  than  to  speak  the  many  nameless  graces  and 

♦  The  prose  dedications  were  afterward  suppressed,  and 
poetical  addrcMea  substituted,  as  io  the  next. 


8  SPRING. 

native  riches  of  mind  capable  so  mucli  nt  oiice  to  relish  solitude, 
and  adorn  society.  To  whom  then  could  these  sheets  be  more 
properly  iiiscril)ed  than  to  you,  madum,  whose  influence  in 
the  world  cjiu  give  them  the  protection  they  want,  while  your 
fine  imagiualioii,  and  intimate  acquaiutauce  with  rural  nature, 
will  reconmicud  them  with  the  greatest  advantage  to  your  fav- 
orable uolice  ?  Happy  I  if  I  can  hit  any  of  those  images,  and 
correspondent  sentiments,  your  calm  evening  walks,  in  the 
most  delightful  retirement,  have  oft  inspired.  1  could  add, 
too,  that  as  this  poem  grew  up  under  your  encouragement,  it 
has  therefore  a  natural  claim  to  j  our  patronage.  Should  yon 
read  it  with  approbation,  its  m-.:sic6htill  nut  droop  ;  and  should 
it  have  the  good  fortune  to  deserve  your  smiles,  its  roses  shall 
not  wither.  But  where  the  subject  is  bo  tempting,  lest  I  begin 
my  poem  before  the  Dedication  is  ended,  I  here  break  short, 
and  beg  leave  to  subscribe  myself,  witli  the  highest  respect, 
madam,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant. 

James  Thomson. 

Argument. — The  subject  proposed — Inscribed  to  the  Counteai 
of  Hertford — The  Season  is  described  as  it  affects  the  various 
parts  of  Nature,  ascending  from  the  lower  to  the  higher  ; 
and  mixed  with  digressicnis  arising  from  th(;  subject — Its  in- 
fluence on  inanimate  matter,  on  vegetables,  on  brute  animals, 
and  last  on  man  ;  concluding  with  a  dissuasive  from  the  wild 
and  irregular  passion  of  love  opposed  to  that  of  a  pure  and 
happy  kind. 

Come,  gentle  Spring,  ethereal  mildness,  come  ; 
And  from  the  bosom  of  your  dropping  cloud, 
While  music  wakes  arotxnd,  veiled  in  a  shower 
Of  shadowing  roses,  on  our  plains  descend. 

O  Hertford,*  fitted  or  to  shine  in  courts 
With  unaffected  grace,  or  walk  the  plain 
With  innocence  and  meditation  joined 
In  soft  assemblage,   listen  to  my  song. 
Which  thy  own  Season  paints  ;  when  Nature  all 
Is  blooming  and  benevolent,  like  thee. 

And  see  where  surly  Winter  passes  off, 
Far  to  the  north,  and  calls  his  ruffian  blasts  : 
His  blasts  obey,  and  quit  the  howling  hill, 
The  shattered  forest,  and  the  ravished  vale  ; 
While  softer  gales  succeed,  at  whose  kind  touch, 

*  Afterwards  Duchess  of  Somerset.     She  died  in  1754. 


spJiWG.  % 

Dissolving  snows  in  livid  torrents  lost, 

The  mountains  lift  their  green  heads  to  the  sky. 

As  yet  the  trembling  year  is  unconfirmed. 
And  "VVinter  oft  at  eve  resumes  the  breeze, 
Clnlls  the  pale  morn,  and  bids  his  driving  sleets 
Deform  the  day  delightless  ;  so  that  scarce 
The  bittern  knows  his  time  with  bill  ingulfed 
To  shake  the  sounding  marsh  ;  or  from  the  shore 
The  plovers  when  to  scatter  o'er  the  heath. 
And  sing  their  wild  notes  to  the  listening  waste. 

At  last  from  Aries  rolls  the  bounteous  sun. 
And  the  bright  Bull  receives  him.     Then  no  more 
The  expansive  atmosphere  is  cramped  with  cold  ; 
liut,  full  of  life  and  vivifying  soul, 
Lifts  the  light  clouds  sublime,  and  spreads  them  thiOt 
Fleecy,  and  white,  o'er  all  surrounding  heaven. 

Forth  fly  the  tepid  airs  ;  and  unconfined, 
Unbinding  earth,  the  moving  softness  strays. 
Joyous,  the  impatient  husbandman  perceives 
Kelenting  Nature,  and  his  lusty  steers 
Drives  from  their  stalls  to  where  the  well-used  plow 
Lies  in  the  furrow,  loosened  from  the  frost. 
There,  unrefnsing,  to  the  harnessed  yoke 
They  lend  their  shoulder,  and  begin  their  toil, 
Cheered  by  the  simple  song  and  soaring  lark. 
Meanwhile,  incumbent  o'er  the  shining  share 
The  master  leans,  removes  the  obstructing  clay. 
Winds  the  whole  work,  and  sidelong  lays  the  glebe. 

White,  through  the  neighboring  fields  the  sower 
stalks. 
With  raeasui'ed  step  ;  and,  liberal,  throws  the  graia 
Into  the  faitliful  bosom  of  the  ground  : 
The  harrow  follows  harsh,  and  sliuls  the  scene. 

Be  gracious.  Heaven  !  for  now  laborious  man 
lias  done  liis  part.     Yc  fostering  breezes,  blow  ! 
Ve  softening  dews,  ye  tend(!r  sliowers,  descend  I 
And  temper  all,  thou  world-reviving  sun, 
Intf)  the  perfect  year  !   Nor  ye  who  live 
In  luxury  uiid  eas(!,  in  poni])  and  j)ride, 
Think,  these  lost  themes  unworthy  of  your  ear  : 


10  SPUING. 

Such  themes  as  these  the  rural  Maro  sung 

To  wide-imperial  Rome,  in  the  full  height 

Of  elegance  and  taste,  by  Greece  refined. 

In  ancient  times,  the  sacred  plow  employed 

The  kings  and  awful  fathers  of  mankind  : 

And  some,  with  whom  compared  your  insect  tribes 

Are  but  the  beings  of  a  summer's  day. 

Have  held  the  scale  of  empire,  ruled  the  storm 

Of  mighty  war,  then  with  victorious  hand, 

Disdaining  little  delicacies,  seized 

The  plow,  and  greatly  independent  scorned 

All  the  vile  stores  corruption  can  bestow. 

Ye  generous  Britons,  venerate  the  plow  ! 
And  o'er  your  hills  and  long  withdrawing  vales 
Let  Autumn  spread  his  treasures  to  the  sun, 
Luxuriant  and  unbounded  !     As  the  sea, 
Far  through  his  azure  turbulent  domain, 
Your  empire  owns,  and  from  a  thousand  shores 
Wafts  all  the  pomp  of  life  into  your  ports, 
So  with  superior  boon  may  your  rich  soil, 
Exuberant,  Nature's  better  blessings  pour 
O'er  every  land,  the  naked  nations  clothe, 
And  be  the  exhaustless  granary  of  a  world  ! 

Nor  only  through  the  lenient  air  this  change, 
Delicious,  breathes  :  the  penetrative  sun, 
His  force  deep-darting  to  the  dark  retreat 
Of  vegetation,  sets  the  steaming  power 
At  large,  to  wander  o'er  the  verdant  earth, 
In  various  hues  ;  but  chiefly  thee,  gay  green  I 
Thou  smiling  Nature's  universal  robe  ! 
United  light  and  shade  !  where  the  sight  dwe^u. 
W  ith  growing  strength,  and  ever  new  delight. 

From  the  moist  meadow  to  the  withered  hill, 
Led  by  the  breeze,  the  vivid  verdure  runs  ; 
And  swells,  and  deepens,  to  the  cherished  eye. 
Tlic  hawthorn  whitens  ;  and  the  juicy  groves 
I'ut  forth  their  buds,  unfolding  by  degrees. 
Till  the  wlioh;  leafy  forest  stands  displayed, 
In  full  luxuriance,  to  the  sighing  gales  ; 
Where  the  deer  rustle  through  the  twining  brake, 


SPRING.  11 

A.n(l  the  birds  sing  concealed.     At  once,  arrayed 

In  all  the  colors  of  the  flushing  year 

By  Nature's  swift  and  secret-working  hand, 

The  garden  glows,  and  tills  the  liberal  air 

With  lavished  fragrance  ;  while  the  promised  fruit 

Lies  yet  a  little  embryo,  unperceived. 

Within  its  crimson  folds.     Now  from  the  town, 

Buried  in  smoke,  and  sleep,  and  noisome  damps. 

Oft  let  me  wander  o'er  the  dewy  iields. 

Where  freshness  breathes,  and  dash    the  trembling 

drops 
From  the  bent  bush,  as  through  the  verdant  maze 
Of  sweet-brier  hedges,  I  pursue  my  walk  ; 
Or  taste  the  smell  of  dairy  ;  or  ascend 
Some  eminence,  Augusta,*  in  thy  plains, 
And  see  the  country,  far  diffused  around, 
One  boundless  blush,  one  white-empurpled  shower 
Of  mingled  blossoms  :  where  the  raptured  eye 
Hurries  from  joy  to  joy  ;  and,  hid  beneath 
The  fair  profusion,  yellow  Autumn  spies. 

If,  brushed  from  Russian  wilds,  a  cutting  gale 
Rise  not,  and  scatter  from  his  humid  wings 
The  clammy  mildew  ;  or,  dry-blowing,  breathe 
Untimely  frost  — before  whose  baleful  blast 
The  full-blown  SjU'ing  through  all  her  foliage  shrinks 
Joyless  and  dead,  a  wide-deiected  waste. 
For  oft,  engendered  by  the  hazy  north, 
Myriads  on  myriads,  insect  armies  warp 
Keen  in  the  poisoned  breeze  ;  and  wasteful  eat, 
Through  buds  and  bark,  into  the  blackened  core 
Their  eager  way.     A  feeble  race  !  yet  oft 
The  sacred  sons  of  vengeance  !  on  whose  course 
Corrosive  famine  waits,  and  kills  the  year. 
To  check  this  plague,  the  skillful  farmer  <thaff 
And  blazing  straw  before  liis  orchard  burns  — 
Till,  all  involved  in  smoke,  the  latent  foe 
Frf)m  every  cranny  suffocated  falls  : 
Or  scatter  o'er  the  bloorrus  the  j)ungent  dust 

•London 


t»  SPUING. 

Of  pepper,  fatal  to  the  frosty  tribe  ; 
Or,  when  the  envenomed  leaf  begins  to  curl, 
With  sprinkled  water  drowns  them  in  their  nest  •* 
Nor,  while  they  pick  them  up  with  busy  bill. 
The  little  trooping  birds  unwisely  scares. 

Be  patient,  swam.s  ;  these  crtiel-seeming  winds 
Blow  not  in  vain.     Far  hence  they  keep,  repressed. 
Those  deepening  clouds  on  clouds,  surcharged  witl; 

rain, 
That  o'er  the  vast  Atlantic  hither  borne. 
In  endless  train,  would  quench  the  summer  blaze. 
And,  cheerless,  drown  the  crude  unripened  year. 

The  north-east  spends  his  rage,  he  now  shut  up 
Within  his  iron  cave  —  the  effusive  soutli 
Warms  the  wide  air,  and  o'er  the  void  of  heaven 
Breathes  the  big  clouds  with  vernal  showers  distent 
At  first  a  dusky  wreath  they  seem  to  rise, 
Scarce  staining  ether  ;    but  by  fast  degrees, 
In  heaps  on  heaps,  the  doubling  vapor  sails 
Along  the  loaded  sky,  and  mingling  deep. 
Sits  on  the  horizon  round  a  settled  gloom : 
Not  such  as  wintry  storms  on  mortals  shed, 
Oppressing  life  ;  but  lovely,  gentle,  kind, 
And  full  of  every  hope  and  every  joy, 
The  wish  of  Nature.     Gradual  sinks  the  breeze 
Into  a  perfect  calm  ;  that  not  a  breath 
Is  heard  to  quiver  through  the  closing  woods, 
Or  rustling  turn  the  many  twinkling  leaves 
Of  aspen  tall.     The  uncurling  floods,  diffused 
In  glassy  breadth,  seem  through  delusive  lapse 
Forgetful  of  their  course.     'Tis  silence  all. 
And  pleasing  expectation.     Herds  and  Hocks 
Drop  the  dry  sprig,  and,  mute-imploriTig,  eye 
The  fallen  verdure.     Hushed  in  short  suspense, 
The  plumy  people  streak  their  wings  with  oil. 
To  throw  the  lucid  moisture  tric^kling  off  ; 
And  wait  the  approaching  sign  to  strike,  at  once 
Into  tlie  general  choir.     Even  mountains,  vales, 
And  forests  seem,  impatient,  to  demand 
The  promised  sweetness.     Man  sujyerior  walks 


SPRIN^G.  ll 

Amid  the  glad  creation,  musing  praise, 

And  looking  lively  gratitude.     At  last, 

The  clouds  consign  their  treasures  to  the  fields  ; 

And,  softly  shaking  on  the  dimpled  pool 

Prelusive  drops,  let  all  their  moisture  flow, 

In  large  effusion,  o'er  the  freshened  world. 

The  stealing  shower  is  scarce  to  patter  heard, 

By  such  as  wander  through  the  forest  walks. 

Beneath  the  umbrageous  multitude  of  leaves. 

But  who  can  hold  the  shade,  while  heaven  descend! 

In  universal  bounty,  shedding  herbs. 

And  fruits,  and  flowers,  on  Nature's  ample  lap  f 

Swift  fancy  fired  anticipates  their  growth  ; 

And,  while  the  milky  nutriment  distills. 

Beholds  the  kindling  country  color  round. 

Thus  all  day  long  the  full-distended  clouds 
Indulge  their  genial  stores,  and  well-showered  earth 
Is  deep  enriched  with  vegetable  life  ; 
Till,  in  the  western  sky,  the  downward  sun 
Looks  out,  effulgent,  from  amid  the  flush 
Of  broken  clouds,  gay  shifting  to  his  beam. 
The  rapid  radiance  instantaneous  strikes 
The  illumined  mountain  ;  through  the  forest  streams  ; 
Shakes  on  the  floods  ;  and  in  a  yellow  mist, 
Far  smoking  o'er  the  interminable  plain. 
In  twinkling  myriads  lights  the  dewy  gems, 
.Mi»ist,  bright,  and  green,  the  landscape  laughs  around. 
Full  swells  the  woods  ;  their  every  music  wakes, 
-Mixed  in  wild  concert,  with  the  warbling  brooks 
Increaseil,  the  distant  bleatiiigs  of  the  hills. 
And  hollow  lows  responsive  from  the  vales, 
Whence  blending  all  the  sweetened  zephyr  spiungs. 
.M(;antiine,  refracted  from  yon  eastern  cloud, 
iiestriding  eartli,  the  grand  ethereal  bow 
Shoots  uj)  immense  ;  and  every  hue  unfolds. 
In  fair  proportion  running  from  the  red 
To  where  the  violet  fades  into  the  sky. 
Here,  awful  Newton,  the  dissolving  clouds 
I'^orm,  fronting  on  the  sun,  thy  show(!ry  prism; 
,\.  ll  to  the  sage-instructed  eye  unfold 


14  SPUING. 

The  various  twine  of  light,  by  thee  disclosed 
From  the  white  mingling  maze.     Not  so  the  swain. 
He  wondering  views  the  bright  enchantment  bend. 
Delightful,  o'er  the  radiant  fields,  and  runs 
To  catch  the  falling  glory  ;  but  amazed 
Beholds  the  amusive  arch  before  him  fly, 
Then  vanish  quite  away.     Still  night  succeeds, 
A  softened  shade  ;  and  saturated  earth 
Awaits  the  morning-beam,  to  give  to  light, 
Raised  through  ten  thousand  diflFerent  plastic  cube». 
The  balmy  treasures  of  the  former  day. 

Then  spring  the  living  herbs  profusely  wild, 
O'er  all  the  deep-green  earth,  beyond  the  power 
Of  botanist  to  number  up  their  tribes  : 
Whether  he  steals  along  the  lonely  dale, 
In  silent  search  ;  or  through  the  forest,  rank 
With  what  the  dull  incurious  weeds  account. 
Bursts  his  blind  way  ;  or  climbs  the  mountain-rock, 
Fired  by  the  nodding  verdure  of  its  brow. 
W^ith  such  a  liberal  hand  has  Nature  flung 
Their  seeds  abroad,  blown  them  about  in  winds, 
Innumerous  mixed  them  with  the  nursing  mold. 
The  moistening  current,  and  prolific  rain. 

But  who  their  virtues  can  declare  ?  who  pierce, 
With  vision  pure,  into  these  secret  stores 
Of  health,  and  life,  and  joy  ?  the  food  of  man. 
While  yet  he  lived  in  innocence,  and  told 
A  length  of  golden  years,  unfleshed  in  blood  ; 
A  stranger  to  the  savage  arts  of  life. 
Death,  rapine,  carnage,  surfeit,  and  disease  — 
The  lord,  and  not  the  tyrant,  of  the  world. 

The  first  fresh  dawn  then  waked  the  gladdened  race 
Of  uncorruptod  man,  nor  blushed  to  see 
The  sluggard  sleep  l)eneath  its  sacred  beam  ; 
For  their  light  slumbers  gentle  fumed  away. 
And  up  they  rose  as  vigorous  as  the  sun. 
Or  to  th(!  culture  of  the  willins^'-  glebe, 
Or  to  the  cheerful  tendance  of  the  flock. 
Meantime  the  song  went  round  ;  and  dance  and  sport, 
Wisdom  and  friendly  talk,  successive  stole 


SPRING.  Id 

Their  hours  away  :  while  in  the  rosy  vale 

Love  breathed  his  infant  sighs,  from  anguish  free. 

And  full  replete  with  bliss  ;  save  the  sweet  pain, 

That,  inly  thrilling,  but  exalts  it  more. 

Nor  yet  injurious  act,  nor  surly  deed, 

Was  known  among  those  happy  sons  of  heaven  \ 

For  reason  and  benevolence  were  law. 

Harmonious  Nature  too  looked  smiling  on. 

Clear  shone  the  skies,  cooled  with  eternal  gales. 

And  balmy  spirit  all.     The  youthful  sun 

Shot  his  best  rays,  and  still  the  gracious  clouds 

Dropped  fatness  down  ;  as  o'er  the  swelling  mead, 

The  herds  and  flocks,  commixing,  ])layed  secure. 

This  when,  emergent  from  the  gloomy  wood. 

The  glaring  lion  saw,  his  horrid  heart 

Was  raeekened,  and  he  joined  his  sullen  joy  ; 

For  music  held  the  Avhole  in  perfect  peace  : 

Soft  sighed  the  flute  ;  the  tender  voice  was  heard. 

Warbling  the  varied  heart  ;  the  woodlands  round 

Applied  their  quire  ;  and  winds  and  waters  flowed 

In  consonance.     Such  were  those  prime  of  days. 

But  now  those  white  unblemished  minutes,  whence 
The  fabling  poets  took  their  golden  age, 
Are  found  no  more  atnid  these  iron  times, 
These  dregs  of  life  !  Now  the  distem])oied  mind 
Has  lost  that  concord  of  harmonious  powers. 
Which  forms  the  soul  of  happiness  ;  and  all 
Is  off  the  poise  within  :  the  passions  all 
Have  burst  their  bounds  ;  and  reason  half  extinct, 
Or  impotent,  or  else  approving,  sees 
The  foul  disorder.     Senseless  and  deformed, 
Conclusive  anger  storms  at  large  ;  or,  pale 
And  silent,  settles  into  fell  revenge. 
Base  envy  withers  at  another's  joy, 
And  hates  that  excellence  it  cannot  reach. 
Desponding  fear,  of  feeble  fancies  full, 
Weak  and  unmanly,  loosens  every  power. 
Even  love  itself  is  bitterness  of  soul, 
A  pensive  anguish  pining  at  the  heart  ; 
Or,  sunk  to  sordid  interest,  feels  no  more 


H  SPRING. 

That  noble  wish,  that  never  cloyed  desire. 

Which,  selfish  joy  disdaining,  seeks  alone 

To  bless  the  dearer  object  of  its  flame. 

Hope  sickens  with  extravagance  ;  and  grief, 

Of  life  impatient,  into  madness  swells, 

Or  in  dead  silence  wastes  the  weeping  hours. 

These,  and  a  thousand  mixed  emotions  more, 

From  ever-changing  views  of  good  and  ill, 

Formed  infinitely  various,  vex  the  mind 

With  endless  storm  ;  whence,  deeply  rankling,  grows 

The  partial  thought,  listless  unconcern, 

Cold,  and  averting  from  our  neighbor's  good  ; 

Then  dark  disgust,  and  hatred,  winding  wiles. 

Coward  deceit,  and  rufiian  violence. 

At  last,  extinct  each  social  feeling,  fell 

And  joyless  inhumanity  pervades 

And  petrifies  the  heart.     Nature  disturbed 

Is  deemed,  vindictive,  to  have  changed  her  course. 

Hence,  in  old  dusky  time,  a  deluge  came  : 
When  the  deep-cleft  disparting  orb,  that  arched 
The  central  waters  round,  impetuous  rushed. 
With  universal  burst,  into  the  gulf, 
And  o'er  the  high-piled  hills  of  fractured  earth 
Wide-dashed  the  waves,  in  undulation  vast ; 
Till,  from  the  center  to  the  streaming  clouds, 
A  shoreless  ocean  tumbled  round  the  globe. 

The  Seasons  since  have,  with  severer  sway. 
Oppressed  a  broken  world  :  the  Winter  keen 
Shook  forth  his  waste  of  snows  ;  and  Summer  shot 
His  pestilential  heats.     Great  Spring,  before. 
Greened  all  the  year  ;  and   the  fruits  and  blossonig 

blushed, 
In  social  sweetness,  on  the  self-same  bough. 
Pure  was  the  temperate  air  ;  an  even  calm 
Perpetual  reigned,  save  what  the  zephyrs  bland 
Breathed  o'er  the  blue  expanse  :  for  then  nor  storms 
Were  taught  to  blow,  nor  hurricanes  to  rage  ; 
Sound  slept  the  waters  ;  no  sulphurous  glooms 
Swelled  in  the  sky,  and  sent  the  lightning  forth  : 
While  sickly  damps,  and  cold  autumnal  fogs. 


SPRI/sTG.  17 

Hung  not,  relaxing,  on  the  springs  of  life. 

But  now,  of  turbid  elements  the  sport, 

From  clear  to  cloudy  tossed,  from  hot  to  cold, 

And  dry  to  moist,  with  inward-eating  change. 

Our  drooping  days  are  dwindled  down  to  naught, 

Their  period  finished  ere  'tis  well  begun. 

And  yet  the  wholesome  herb  neglected  dies  ; 
Though  with  the  pure  exhilarating  soul 
Of  nutriment,  and  health,  and  vital  powers, 
Beyond  the  search  of  art,  'tis  copious  blest. 
For,  with  hot  ravin  fired,  ensanguined  man 
[s  now  become  the  lion  of  the  plain. 
And  worse.     The  wolf,  who  from  the  nightly  fold 
Fierce  drags  the  bleating  prey,  ne'er  drunk  her  milk. 
Nor  wore  her  warming  fieece  ;  nor  has  the  steer. 
At  whose  strong  chest  the  deadly  tiger  hangs. 
E'er  plowed  for  him.     They  too  are  tempered  high. 
With  hunger  stung  and  wild  necessity  ; 
Nor  lodges  pity  in  their  shaggy  breast. 
But  man,  whom  Nature  formed  of  milder  clay. 
With  every  kind  emotion  in  his  heart, 
And  taught  alone  to  Aveep — while  from  her  lap 
She  pours  ten  thousand  delicacies,  herbs. 
And  fruits,  as  numerous  as  the  drops  of  rain 
Or  beams  that  gave  them  birth — shall  he,  fair  form  ! 
Who  wears  sweet  smiles,  and  looks  erect  on  heaven, 
E'er  stoop  to  mingle  with  the  prowling  herd. 
And  dip  his  tongue  in  gore?  The  beast  of  prey. 
Blood-stained,  deserves  to  bleed  ;  but  you,  ye  flocks, 
What  have  ye  done?  ye  peaceful  ))e()})le,  what. 
To  merit  death  ?  you,  who  have  given  us  milk 
In  luscious  streams,  and  lent  us  your  own  coat 
Agninst  the  Winter's  cold  ?  And  \\w.  plain  ox, 
Tliat  harmless,  honest,  guileless  animal. 
In  what  has  he  oflFended?  he,  whose  toil. 
Patient  and  ever-ready,  clothes  the  land 
With  all  the  pomp  of  liarvest — shall  he  bleed, 
And  struggling  i^roaii  heni^ath  the  cruel  hand 
Even  of  the  clown  h(!  feeds  ?  and  that,  perhaps, 
To  swell  the  riot  of  the  autumnal  feast, 


18  SPRING. 

Won  by  his  labor  ?  Thus  the  feeling  heart 
Would  tenderly  suggest ;  but  'tis  enough, 
In  this  late  age,  adventurous,  to  have  touched 
Light  on  the  numbers  of  the  Samian  sage.* 
High  Heaven  forbids  the  bold  presumptuous  strain, 
Whose  wisest  will  has  fixed  us  in  a  state 
That  must  not  yet  to  pure  perfection  rise  : 
Besides,  who  knows,  how  raised  to  higher  life, 
From  stage  to  stage,  the  vital  scale  ascends  ? 

Now,  when  the  first  foul  torrent  of  the  brooks, 
Swelled  with  the  vernal  rains,  is  ebbed  away  — 
And,  whitening,  down  their  mossy-tinctured  stream 
Descends  the  billowy  foam  —  now  is  the  time, 
While  yet  the  dark-brown  water  aids  the  guile. 
To  tempt  the  trout.     The  well-dissembled  fly, 
The  rod  fine-tapering  with  elastic  spring. 
Snatched  from  the  hoary  steed  the  floating  line, 
And  all  thy  slender  watery  stores,  prepare. 
But  let  not  on  thy  hook  the  tortured  worm. 
Convulsive,  twist  in  agonizing  folds  ; 
Which,  by  rapacious  hunger  swallowed  deep, 
Gives,  as  you  tear  it  from  the  bleeding  breast 
Of  the  Aveak,  helpless,  uncomplaining  wretch, 
Harsh  pain  and  horror  to  the  tender  hand. 

When,  with  his  lively  ray,  the  potent  sun 
Has  pierced  the  streams,  and  roused  the  finny  race, 
Then,  issuing  cheerful,  to  thy  sport  repair  ; 
Chief  should  the  western  breezes  curling  play. 
And  light  o'er  ether  bear  the  shadowy  clouds. 
High  to  their  fount,  this  day,  amid  the  hills, 
And  woodlands  warbling  round,  trace  up  the  brooks  ; 
The  next,  pursue  their  rocky-channeled  maze. 
Down  to  the  river,  in  whose  ample  wave 
Their  little  naiads  love  to  sport  at  large. 
Just  in  the  dubious  point,  where  with  the  pool 
Is  mixed  the  trembling  stream,  or  where  it  boils 
Around  the  stone,  or  from  the  hollowed  bank 
Reverted  plays  in  undulating  flow, 

•Pythagoras. 


SPRING  1ft 

There  throw,  nice-judging,  the  delusive  fly  ; 
And,  as  you  lead  it  round  in  artful  curve, 
With  eye  attentive  mark  the  springing  game. 
Straight  as  above  the  surface  of  the  flood 
They  wanton  rise,  or  urged  by  hunger  ^eap, 
Then  fix,  with  gentle  twitch,  barbed  hook  ; 
Some  liglitly  tossing  to  the  grassy  bank, 
And  to  the  shelving  shore  slow-dragging  some, 
With  various  hand  proportioned  to  their  force. 
If  yet  too  young,  and  easily  deceived, 
A  worthless  prey  scarce  bends  your  pliant  rod, 
Him,  piteous  of  his  youth,  and  the  short  space 
He  has  enjoyed  the  vital  light  of  heaven, 
Soft  disengage,    and  back  into  the  stream 
The  speckled  infant  throw.     But  should  you  lure 
From  his  dark  haunts,  beneath  the  tangled  roots 
Of  pendant  trees,  the  monarch  of  the  brook, 
Behooves  you  then  to  ply  your  finest  art. 
Long  time  he,  following  cautious,  scans  the  fly  ; 
And  oft  attempts  to  seize  it,  but  as  oft 
The  dimpled  water  speaks  his  jealous  fear. 
At  last,  while  o'er  the  shaded  sun 
Passes  a  cloud,  he  desperate  takes  the  death, 
With  sullen  plunge.     At  once  he  darts  along, 
Deep-struck,  and  runs  out  all  the  lengthened  line  ; 
Then  seeks  the  furthest  ooze,  the  sheltering  weed. 
The  caverned  bank,  his  old  secure  abode  ; 
And  flies  aloft,  and  flounces  round  the  pool, 
Indignant  of  the  guile.     With  yielding  hand, 
That  feels  him  still,  yet  to  his  furious  course 
Gives  way,  you,  now  retiring,  following  now 
Across  the  stream,  exhaust  his  idle  rage  ; 
Till,  floating  broad  u])(>n  his  breathless  side, 
And  to  his  fate  abandoned,  to  the  shore 
You  gayly  drag  your  unresisting  prize. 

Thus  pass  the  temperate  hours  :  but  when  the  sun 
Shakes  from  his  noonday  throne  the  scattering  clouds, 
Even  shooting  listless  languor  through  the  deeps, 
Then  seek  the  b.ink  where  flowering  elders  crowd, 
Wheru  scattered  wild  the  lilv  of  the  vale 


20  SPRING. 

Its  balmy  essence  breathes,  where  cowslips  hang 

The  dewy  head,  where  purple  violets  lurk, 

With  all  the  lowly  children  of  the  shade  ; 

Or  lie  reclined  beneath  yon  spreading  ash 

Hung  o'er  the  steep,  whence  borne  on  liquid  wing 

The  sounding  culver  *  shoots  ;  or  where  the  hawk 

High  in  tlie  beetling  cliff  his  eyrie  builds. 

There  let  the  classic  j^age  thy  fancy  lead 

Through  rural  scenes,  such  as  the  Mantuan  swain 

Paints  in  the  matchless  harmony  of  song  ; 

Or  catch  thyself  the  landscape,  gliding  swift 

Athwart  imagination's  vivid  eye  ; 

Or,  by  the  vocal  woods  and  waters  lulled, 

And  lost  in  lonely  musing,  in  a  dream. 

Confused,  of  careless  solitude,  where  mix 

Ten  thousand  wandering  images  of  things, 

Soothe  every  gust  of  passion  mto  peace  — 

All  but  the  swellings  of  the  softened  heart, 

That  waken,  not  disturb,  the  tranquil  mind. 

Behold,  yon  breathing  prospect  bids  the  muse 
Throw  all  her  beauty  forth.     But  who  can  paint 
Like  Nature  ?     Can  imagination  boast, 
Amid  its  gay  creation,  hues  Hke  hers  ? 
Or  can  it  mix  them  with  that  matchless  skill, 
And  lose  them  in  each  other,  as  appears 
In  every  bud  that  blows  ?     If  fancy,  then. 
Unequal  fails  beneath  the  pleasing  task; 
Ah,  what  shall  language  do?  ah,  where  find  words 
Tinged  with  so  many  colors  ;  and  whose  power, 
To  life  approaching,  may  perfume  my  lays 
With  that  fine  oil,  those  aromatic  gales. 
That  inexhaustive  flow  continual  round  ? 

Yet,  though  successless,    will  the  toil  delight. 
Come  then,  ye  virgins  and  ye  youths  whose  hearts 
Have  felt  the  raptures  of  refining  love  ; 
And  thou,  Amanda,  come,  pride  of  my  song  1 
Formed  by  the  Graces,  loveliness  itself  ! 


*  The  old  uame  of  the  pigeon,  still  uppliad  to  the  bouse  dove 
la  D«VMa. 


SPAfNG.  21 

Come  "w^ith  those  downcast  eyes,  sedate  and  sweet. 
Those  looks  demure,  that  deeply  pierce  the  soul  — 
Wherw,  with  the  light  of  thoughtful  reason  mixed> 
Shines,  lively  fancy,  and  the  feeling  heart : 
O  comb. !  and  while  the  rosy-footed  May 
Steals  blushing  on,  together  let  us  tread 
The  mornxng  dews,  and  gather  in  their  prime 
Fresh-bloomi.ig  flowers,  to  grace  thy  b- aided  hair, 
And  thy  lovod  bosom  that  improves  tiioir  sweets. 

See,  where  the  winding  vale  its  lavish  stores, 
Irriguous,  spreads.     See,  how  the  lily  drinks 
Tiie  latent  rill,  jc«rce  oozing  through  the  grass. 
Of  growth  luxuriant  ;  or  the  humid  bank, 
In  fair  profusion,  decks.     Long  let  us  walk, 
Where  the  breeze  olows  from  yon  extended  field 
Of  blossomed  beaud,     Arabia  cannot  boast 
A  fuller  gale  of  joy  ;han,  liberal,  thence 
Breathes  through  t^e  sense,  and  takes  the  ravished 

soul. 
Nor  is  the  mead  unworthy  of  thy  foot, 
Full  of  fresh  verdure,  and  unnumbered  flowers, 
The  negligence  of  Nature,  wide  and  wild  ; 
Where,  undisguised  by  mimic  Art,  she  spreads 
Unbounded  beauty  to  the  roving  eye. 
Here  their  delicious  task  the  fervent  bees. 
In  swarming  millions,  tend  :  around,  athwart, 
Through  the  soft  air  the  busy  nations  fly. 
Cling  to  the  bud,  and  with  inserted  tube 
Suck  its  pure  essence,  its  etiiereal  soul  ; 
And  oft,  with  bolder  wing,  they  soaring  dare 
The  purple  heath,  or  where  i\\(\  wild-thyme  grows, 
And  yellow  load  them  willi  the  luscious  spoil. 

At  length  the  finished  garden  to  the  view 
Its  vistas  opens,  and  its  alleys  green. 
Snatched  through  the  verdant  maze,  the  hui-rit^d  eyr 
Distracted  wanders  :   now  the  bowery  walk 
Of  covert  close,  wliere  scarce  a  sj)ock  of  day 
Falls  on  the  leii-^thened  gloom,  protracted  sw<,'epH 
Now  tneets  tlie  bcuiding  sky  ;  the  river  now 
Diinplmir  alo;)!:,  t!ie  breezy-ruffled  lake. 


S3  SPRING. 

The  forest  darkening  round,  the  glittering  spire, 

The  ethereal  mountain,  and  the  distant  main. 

But  why  so  far  excursive  ?  when  at  hand. 

Along  these  blushing  borders,  bright  with  dew, 

And  in  yon  mingled  wilderness  of  flowers. 

Fair-handed  Spring  unbosoms  every  grace  : 

Throws  out  the  snowdrop  and  the  crocus  first  ; 

The  daisy,  primrose,  violet  darkly  blue. 

And  polyanthus  of  unnumbered  dyes  ; 

The  yellow  wallflower,  stained  with  iron  brown  ; 

And  lavish  stock  that  scents  the  garden  round  ; 

From  the  soft  wing  of  vernal  breezes  shed, 

Anemones  ;  auriculas,  enriched 

With  shining  meal  o'er  all  their  velvet  leaves  ; 

And  full  ranunculas,  of  glowing  red, 

Then  comes  the  tulip-race,  where  beauty  plays 

Her  idle  freaks  :  from  family  diffused 

To  family,  as  flies  the  father-dust, 

The  varied  colors  run  ;  and,  while  they  break 

On  the  charmed  eye,  the  exulting  florist  marks, 

With  secret  pride,  the  wonders  of  his  hand. 

No  gradual  bloom  is  wanting  ;  from  the  bud. 

First-born  of  Spring,  to  Summer's  musky  tribes  ; 

Nor  hyacinths,  of  purest  virgin  white. 

Low  bent,  and  blushing  inward  ;  nor  jonquils, 

Of  potent  fragrance  ;  nor  narcissus  fair, 

As  o'er  the  fabled  fountain  hanging  still  ; 

Nor  broad  carnations  ;  nor  gay-spotted  pinks  ; 

Nor,  showered  from  every  bush,  the  damask-rose. 

Infinite  numbeis,  delicacies,  smells, 

With  hues  on  hues  expression  cannot  paint, 

The  breath  of  Nature,  and  her  endless  bloom. 

Hail  !  Source  of  Being  !  Universal  Soul 
Of  heaven  and  earth  !  Essential  Presence,  hail  ! 
To  Thee  I  bend  the  knee  ;  to  Thee  my  thoughts, 
Continual,  climb  ;  who,  with  a  master-hand, 
Hast  the  great  whole  into  perfection  touched. 
By  Thee  the  various  vegetative  tribes. 
Wrapt  in  a  filmy  net,  and  clad  with  leaves. 
Draw  the  live  ether,  and  imbibe  the  dew. 


SPR/NG. 

By  rhee  disposed  into  congenial  soils, 

Stands  each  attractive  plant,  and  sucks,  and  swells 

The  juicy  tide  ;    a  twining  mass  of  tubes. 

At  Thy  command  the  vernal  sun  awakes 

Tlie  torpid  sap,  detruded  to  the  root 

By  ^vintry  winds,  that  now  in  fluent  dance 

And  lively  fermentation,  mounting,  spreads 

All  this  innumerous-colored  scene  of  things. 

As  rising  from  the  vegetable  world 
My  theme  ascends,  with  equal  wing  ascend, 
My  panting  muse  ;  and  hark,  how  loud  the  woodi 
Invite  you  forth  iu  all  your  gayest  trim. 
Lend  me  your  song,  ye  nightingales  !  oh  pour 
The  mazy-running  soul  of  melody 
Into  my  varied  verse  !  while  I  deduce 
From  the  first  note  the  hollow  cuckoo  sings, 
The  symphony  of  Spring,  and  touch  a  theme 
Unknown  to  fame  — the  passion  of  the  groves. 

When  first  the  soul  of  love  is  sent  abroad. 
Warm  through  the  vital  air,  and  on  the  heart 
Harmonious  seizes,  the  gay  troops  begin, 
In  gallant  thought,  to  plume  the  painted  wing  ; 
And  try  again  the  long-forgotten  strain. 
At  first  faint  warbled.     But  no  sooner  grows 
The  soft  infusion  prevalent,  and  wide, 
Than,  all  alive,  at  once  their  joy  o'erflows 
In  music  unconfined.     Up  springs  the  lark. 
Shrill-voiced  and  loud,  the  messenger  of  mom  : 
Ere  yet  the  shadows  fly,  he  mounted  sings 
Amid  the  dawning  clouds,  and  from  their  haunts 
Calls  up  the  tuneful  nations.     Every  copse 
Deep-tangled,  tree  irregular,  and  bush 
Bending  with  dewy  moisture,  o'er  the  heads 
Of  the  coy  choristers  that  lodge  within. 
Are  prodigal  of  harmony.     The  thrush 
And  woodhirk,  o'er  the  kind-contending  throng 
Superior  heard,  run  tliroiigli  tlie  sweetest  length 
Of  notes  ;  when  listening  Pliilomela  deigns 
'I'o  let  them  joy,  and  jturposes,  in  thought 
Elate,  to  make  her  night  excel  their  day. 


84  SPUING. 

The  blackbird  whistles  from  the  thorny  brake  ^ 
The  mellow  bullfinch  answers  from  the  grove  ; 
Nor  are  the  linnets,  o'er  the  flowering  furze 
Poured  out  profusely,  silent  :  joined  to  these 
In  numerous  songsters,  in  the  freshening  shade 
Of  new-sprung  leaves,  their  modulations  mix 
]N[ellifluou8.     The  jay,  the  rookj  the  daw. 
And  each  harsh  pipe,  discordant  heard  alone, 
Aid  the  full  concert  ;  while  the  stockdove  breathei 
A  melancholy  murmur  through  the  whole. 

'Tis  love  creates  their  m«lody,  and  all 
This  waste  of  music  is  the  voice  of  love  ; 
That  even  to  birds  and  beasts  the  tender  arts 
Of  pleasing  teaches.     Hence  the  glossy  kind 
Try  every  M'inning  way  inventive  love 
Can  dictate,  and  in  courtship  to  their  mates 
Pour  forth  their  little  souls.     First,  wide  around, 
^V^ith  distant  awe,  in  airy  rings  they  rove. 
Endeavoring  by  a  thousand  tricks  to  catch 
The  cunning,  conscious,  half-averted  glance 
Of  their  regardless  charmer.     Should  she  seem, 
Softening,  the  least  approvance  to  bestow. 
Their  colors  burnish,  and  by  hope  inspired, 
They  brisk  advance  ;  then,  on  a  sudden  struck. 
Retire  disordered  ;  then  again  approach  ; 
In  fond  rotation  spread  the  spotted  wing. 
And  shiver  every  feather  with  desire. 

Connubial  leagues  agreed,  to  the  deep  woodi 
They  haste  away,  all  as  their  fancy  leads. 
Pleasure,  or  food,  or  secret  safety  prompts  ; 
That  Nature's  great  command  may  be  obeyed, 
Nor  all  the  sweet  sensations  they  perceive 
Indulged  in  vain.     Some  to  the  holly-hedge 
Nestling  repair,  and  to  the  thicket  some  ; 
Some  to  tlie  rude  protection  of  the  thorn 
Commit  their  feeble  offspring.     The  cleft  tree 
Offers  its  kind  concealment  to  a  few, 
Their  food  its  insects,  and  its  moss  their  nests. 
Others,  apart,  far  in  the  grassy  dale, 
Or  roughening  waste,  their  humble  texture  weavi^ 


SPRING.  25 

But  most  in  woodland  solitudes  delight, 

In  unfrequented  glooms,  or  shaggy  banks, 

Sleep,  and  divided  by  a  babbling  brook, 

Whose  murmurs  soothe  them  all  the  live-long  day. 

When  by  kind  duty  fixed.     Among  the  roots 

Of  hazel,  pendent  o'er  the  plaintive  stream, 

They  frame  the  first  foundation  of  their  domes  ; 

Dry  sprigs  of  trees,  in  artful  fabric  laid. 

And  bound  with  clay  together.     Now  'tis  naught 

J>ut  restless  hurry  through  the  busy  air. 

Beat  by  unnumbered  wings.     The  swallow  sweeps 

The  slimy  pool,  to  build  his  hanging  house 

Intent.     And  often,  from  the  careless  back 

Of  herds  and  flocks,  a  thousand  tugging  bills 

Pluck  hair  and  wool  ;  and  oft,  when  unobserved, 

Steal  from  the  barn  a  straw  :  till  soft  and  warm, 

Clean,  and  complete,  their  habitation  grows. 

As  thus  the  patient  dam  assiduous  sits. 
Not  to  be  tempted  from  her  tender  task, 
Or  by  sharp  hunger,  or  by  smooth  delight. 
Though  the  whole  loosened  Spring  around  her  blowa 
Iler  sympathizing  lover  takes  his  stand 
High  on  the  opponent  bank,  and  ceaseless  sings 
The  tedious  time  away  ;  or  else  supplies 
Her  1)1  ace  a  moment,  while  she  sudden  flits 
To  pick  the  scanty  meal.     The  appointed  time 
With  pious  toil  fulfilled,  the  callow  young. 
Warmed  and  expanded  into  perfect  life, 
Their  brittle  bondage  break,  and  come  to  light ; 
A  helpless  family,  demanding  food 
With  constant  clamor.     Oh,  v  hat  passions  then, 
What  melting  sentiments  of  kindly  care. 
On  the  new  parents  seize  !  Away  tliey  fly, 
Affectionate,  and  undesiriiig  bear 
The  most  delicious  morsel  to  their  young  ; 
Which  equally  distributed,  agnin 
The  search  begins.     Even  so  a  gentle  pair, 
By  fortune;  sunk,  ])ut  roniicd  of  generous  mold, 
And  charmed  with  cares  beyond  the  vulgar  breast, 
In  some  lone  cot,  amid  the  distant  woods, 


%J  SPRING. 

Sustained  alone  by  providential  Heaven, 
Oft,  as  they  weeping  eye  their  infant  train, 
Check  their  own  appetites  and  give  tliom  all. 

Nor  toil  alone  they  scorn  :  exalting  love, 
By  the  great  Father  of  the  Spring  inspired. 
Gives  instant  courage  to  the  fearful  race, 
And  to  the  simple  art.     With  stealthy  wing. 
Should  some  rude  foot  their  woody  haunts  molest 
Amid  a  neighboring  bush  they  silent  drop. 
And  whirring  thence,  as  if  alarmed,  deceive 
The  unfeeling  school-boy.     Hence,  around  the  head. 
Of  wandering  swain,  the  white-winged  plover  wheels 
Her  sounding  flight,  and  then  directly  on 
In  long  excursion  skims  the  level  lawn. 
To  tempt  him  from  her  nest.     The  wild  duck,  henca 
O'er  the  rough  moss,  and  o'er  the  trackless  waste 
The  heath-hen  flutters,  pious  fraud  !  to  lead 
The  hot  pui'suing  spaniel  far  astray. 

Be  not  the  muse  ashamed,  here  to  bemoan 
Her  brothers  of  the  grove,  by  tyrant  man 
Inhuman  caught,  and  in  the  narrow  cage 
From  liberty  confined,  and  boundless  air. 
Dull  are  the  pretty  slaves,  their  plumage  dull. 
Ragged,  and  all  its  brightening  luster  lost ; 
Nor  is  that  sprightly  wildness  in  their  notes, 
Which,  clear  and  vigorous,  warbles   from    the   bf>ech 
Oh  then,  ye  friends  of  love  and  love-taught  song> 
Spare  the  soft  tribes,  this  barbarous  art  forbear  I 
If  on  your  bosom  innocence  can  win. 
Music  engage,  or  piety  pursuade. 

But  let  not  chief  the  nightingale  lament 
Her  ruined  care,  too  delicately  framed 
To  brook  the  harsh  confinement  of  the  cage. 
Oft  when,  returning  with  her  loaded  bill, 
The  astonished  mother  finds  a  vacant  nest. 
By  the  hard  hand  of  unrelenting  clowns 
Robbed,  to  the  ground  the  vain  provision  fall# , 
Her  pinions  ruffle,  and,  low-drooping,  scarce 
Can  hear  the  mourner  to  the  poplar  shade, 
Where  all  abandoned  to  despair  she  sings 


SPRUNG.  27 

Her  sorrows  throngh  the  night  ;  and,  on  the  bough 

Sole-sitting,  Btill  at  every  dying  fall 

Takes  up  again  her  lamentable  strain 

Of  winding  woe,  till  wiae  around  the  woods 

Sigh  to  her  song,  and  with  her  wail  resound. 

But  now  the  feathered  youth  their   former  bounds, 
Ardent,  disdain  ;  and,  weighing  oft  their  wings, 
Demand  the  free  possession  of  the  sky  : 
This  one  glad  office  more,  and  then  dissolves 
Parental  love  at  once,  now  needless  grown  i 
Unlavish  Wisdom  never  works  in  vain. 
Tis  on  some  evening,    sunny,  grateful,  mild. 
When  naught  but   balm   is   breathing  through   the 

woods 
With  yellow  luster  bright,  that  the  new  tribes 
Visit  the  spacious  heavens,  and  look  abroad 
On  nature's  common,  far  as  they   can  see 
Or  wing  their  range  and  pasture.     O'er    the    boughs 
Dancing  about,  still  at  the  giddy  verge 
Their  resolution  fails  —  their   pinions  still, 
In  loose  libration  stretched,  to  trust  the  void 
Trembling  refuse  —  till  down  before  them  fly 
The  parent-guides,  and  chide,  exhort,  command, 
Or  push  them  off.     The  surging  air  receives 
The  plumy  burden  ;  and  their  self-taught  wings 
Winnow  the  waving  element.     On  ground 
Alighted,  bolder  up  again  they  lead, 
Further  and  further  on,  the   lengthening  flight  ; 
Till,  vanished  every  fear,  and  every  power 
Roused  into  life  and  action,  light  in  air 
The  acquitted  parents  see  their  soaring  race, 
And,  once  rejoicing,  never  know  them  more. 

High  from  the  summit  of  a  craggy  cliff, 
Hung  o'er  the  deep,  such  as  amazing  frowns 
On  utmost  Kilda's  shore,  whose  lonely  race 
Resign  the  setting  sun  to  Indian  worlds. 
The  royal  eagle  draws  his  vigorous  young  ; 
Strong-pounced,  and  ardent  with  j^aternal  fire. 
Now  fit  to  raise  a  kingdom  of  their  own, 
Ue  drives  them  from  his  fort,  the  towering  seat. 


dS  SPRING. 

For  ages,  of  his  empire  ;  which,  in  peace, 
Unstained  he  holds,  while  many  a  league  to  sea 
He  wings  his  course,  and  preys  in  distant  isles. 

Should  I  my  steps  turn  to  the  rural  seat, 
Whose  lofty  elms  and  venerable  oaks 
Invite  the  rook,  who  high  amid  the  boughs, 
In  early  Spring,  his  airy  city  builds, 
And  ceaseless  caws  amusive  —  there,  well -pleased, 
I  might  the  various  polity    survey 
Of  the  mixed  household  kind.     The  careful  hen 
Calls  all  her  chirping  family  around. 
Fed  and  defended  by  the  fearless  cock  ; 
Whose  breast  with  ardor  flames,  as  on  he  walks 
Graceful,  and  crows  defiance.     In  the  pond, 
The  finely-checkered  duck,  bef-ore  her  train 
Rows  garrulous.     The  stately-sailing  swan 
Gives  out  her  snowy  plumage  to  the  gale  ; 
And,  arching  proud  his  neck,  with  oary  feet 
Bears  forward  fierce,  and  guards  his  osier-isle, 
Protective  of  his  young.     The  turkey  nigh. 
Loud-threatening,    reddens  ;     while     the      peacock 

spreads 
His  every-colored  glory  to  the  sun. 
And  swims  in  radiant  majesty  along. 
O'er  the  whole  homely  scene,  the  cooing  dove 
Flies  thick  in  amorous  chase,  and  wanton  rolls 
The  glancing  eye,  and  turns  the  changeful  neck. 

While  thus  the  gentle  tenants  of  the  shade 
Indulge  their  purer  loves,  tlie  rougher  world 
Of  brutes,  below,  rush  furious  into  flame 
And  fierce  desire.     Through  all  his  lusty  veins 
The  bull,  deep-scorched,  the  raging  passion  feels. 
Of  pasture  sick,  and  negligent  of  food. 
Scarce  seen,  he  wad  s  among  the  yellow  broom, 
While  o'er  his  ample  sides  the  rambling  sprays 
Luxuriant  shoot  ;  or  through  the  mazy  wood 
Dejected  wander; ,  nor  th^'  enticing  bud 
Crops,  though  it  presses  on  his  careless  sense. 
And  oft,  in  jealous  maddening  fancy  wrapt, 
Ho  seeks  the  fight  ;  and  idly-butting,  feignf 


flis  rival  gored  in  every  knotty  tnink. 
Him  should  he  meet,  the  bellowing  war  begini  : 
Their  eyes   flash  fury  ;  to  the  hollowed  earth, 
Whence  the  sand  flies,  they  mutter  bloody  deeds, 
And  groaning  deep  the  impetuous  battle  mix  ; 
While  the  fair  Innfer,  balmy-breatliing,  near, 
Stands  kindling  up  their  rage.    The  trembling  steed 
With  this  hot  impulse  seized  in  every  nerve, 
Nor  heeds  the  rein,  nor  hears  the  sounding  thong  ; 
Blows  are  not  felt  ;  but,  tossing  high  his  head, 
And  by  the  well-known  joy  to  distant  plains 
Attracted  strong,  all  wild  he  bursts  away  ; 
O'er  rocks,  and  woods,  and  craggy  mountains  flies  ; 
And,  neighing,  on  the  aerial  summit  takes 
The  exciting  gale  ;  then,  deep-descending,  cleaves 
The  headlong  torrents  foaming  down  the  hills. 
Even  where  the  m;idness  of  the  straightened  stream 
Turns  in  black  eddies  round  —  such  is  the  force 
With  which  his  frantic  heart  and  sinews  swell. 

Nor  undelighted  by  the  boundless  Spring 
Are  the  broad  monsters  of  the  foaming  deep  : 
From  the  deep  ooze  and  gelid  cavern  roused, 
They  flounce  and  tumble  in  un  wieldly  joy. 
Dire  were  the  strain,  and  dissonant,  to  sing 
The  cruel  raptures  of  the  savage  kind  ; 
How,  by  this  flame  their  native  wrath  sublimed. 
They  roam,  amid  the  fury  of  their  heart. 
The  far-resounding  waste  in  fiercer  bands. 
And  growl  their  horrid  loves.     But  this,  the  theme 
I  sing,  enraptured,  to  the  British  fair. 
Forbids  ;  and  leads  me  to  the  mountain-brow, 
Where  sits  the  shepherd  on  tlie  grassy  turf. 
Inhaling,  healthful,  the  descending  sun. 
Around  him  feeds  his  many-bleating  flock. 
Of  various  cadence,  and  liis  sportive  lambs. 
This  way  and  that  convolved,  in  friskful  glee, 
Their  frolics  play.     And  now  tlu;  sprightly  race 
Invites  them  forth  ;  wlien  swift,  the  signal  given, 
They  start  away,  and  sweep  tlui  massy  mouiul 
That  runs  around  the  hill  ;  the  rampart  once 


»  SPRING. 

Of  iron  war,  in  ancient  barbarous  times, 

WTien  disunited  Britain  ever  bled, 

Lost  in  eternal  broil  :  ere  yet  she  grew 

To  this  deep-laid  indissoluble  state, 

Where  wealth  and  commerce  lift  their  golden  heads  ; 

And,  o'er  our  labors,  liberty  and  law 

Impartial  watch  —  the  wonder  of  the  world  ! 

What  is  this  mighty  breath,  ye  curious,  say, 
That,  in  a  powerful  language,  felt  not  heard. 
Instructs  the  fowls  of  heaven  ;    and  through  theif 

breast 
These  arts  of  love  diffuses  ?  What,  but  God  ? 
Inspiring  God  !  who,  boundless  spirit  all, 
And  unremitting  energy,  pervades, 
Adjusts,  sustains,  and  agitates  the  whole. 
He  ceaseless  works  alone,  and  yet  alone 
Seems  not  to  work  ;  with  such  perfection  framed 
Is  this  complex  stupendous  scheme  of  things. 
But,  though  concealed,  to  every  purer  eye 
The  informing  Author  in  his  works  appears  : 
Chief,  lovely  Spring,  in  thee,  and  thy  soft  scenes. 
The  smiling  God  is  seen  ;  while  water,  earth, 
And  air  attest  his  bounty  —  which  exalts 
The  brute  creation  to  this  finer  thought, 
And  annual  melts  their  undesigning  hearts 
Profusely  thus  in  tenderness  and  joy. 

Still  let  my  song  a  nobler  note  assume, 
And  sing  the  infusive  force  of  Spring  on  man  ; 
When  heaven  and  earth,  as  if  contending,  vie 
To  raise  his  being,  and  serene  his  soul. 
Can  he  forbear  to  join  the  general  smile 
Of  Nature  ?  Can  fierce  passions  vex  his  breast, 
While  every  gale  is  peace,  and  every  grove 
Is  melody  ?  Hence  !  from  the  bounteous  walks 
Of  flowing  Spring,  ye  sordid  sons  of  earth. 
Hard,  and  unfeeling  of  another's  woe, 
Or  only  lavish  to  yourselves  ;  away  ! 
I)Ut  come,  ye  generous  minds,  in  whose  wide  thought, 
Of  all  his  works,  Creative  Bounty  burns 
With  warmest  beam  ;  and  on  your  open  front 


SPRING.  A 

And  liberal  eye  sits,  from  his  dark  retreat 

Inviting  modest  want.     Nor  till  invoked 

Can  restless  goodness  wait :  your  active  search 

Leaves  no  cold  wintry  corner  unexplored  ; 

Like  silent-working  heaven,  surprising  oft 

The  lonely  heart  with  unexpected  good. 

For  you  the  roving  spirit  of  the  wind 

Blows  Spring  abroad  ;  for  you  the  teeming  clouda 

Descend  in  gladsome  plenty  o'er  the  world  ; 

And  the  sun  sheds  his  kindest  rays  for  you. 

Ye  flower  of  human  race  !  In  these  green  days, 

Reviving  sickness  lifts  her  languid  liead  ; 

Life  flows  afresh  ;  and  young-eyed  health  exalts 

The  whole  creation  round.     Contentment  walks 

The  sunny  glade,  and  feels  an  inward  bliss 

Spring  o'er  his  mind,  beyond  the  power  of  kings 

To  purchase.     Pure  serenity  apace 

Induces  thought,  and  contemplation  still. 

By  swift  degrees  the  love  of  nature  works, 

And  warms  the  bosom  ;  till  at  last,  sublimed 

To  rapture  and  enthusiastic  heat. 

We  feel  the  present  Deity,  and  taste 

The  joy  of  God  to  see  a  hai)py  world  ! 

These  are  the  sacred  feelings  of  thy  heart, 
Thy  heart  informed  by  reason's  purer  ray, 
O  Lyttleton,  the  friend  !  thy  passions  thus 
And  meditations  vary,  as  at  large, 
Courting  tlic  muse,  through  Hagley  Park  you  stray  ; 
Thy  British  Tempe  !  There  along  the  dale. 
With  woods  o'er-hutig,  and  shagged  with  mossy  rocks 
Whence  on  each  liand  the  gusliing  waters  play, 
And  down  tlie  rougli  cascade  white-dashing  fall. 
Or  gleam  in  lengthened  vista  through  tlie  trees. 
You  silent  steal  ;  or  sit  beneath  tlie  shade 
Of  solemn  oaks,  that  tuft  tlie  swelling  mounts 
'i'hrown  graceful  round  by  Nature's  (careless  hand, 
And  pensive  listen  to  the  variou><  voice 
Of  ruling  jxsace  :  the  herds,  the  fl(>(;ks,  the  birds, 
'J'lic  liollow-wliispering  l)reeze,  the  |)laint  of  rills, 
That,  purling  down  amid  the  twisted  rootb 


bd  SPUING. 

Which  creep  around,  their  dewy  murmurs  shake 

On  the  soothed  ear.     From  these  abstracted  oft. 

You  wander  through  the  philosophic  world  ; 

Where  in  bright  train  continual  wonders  rise, 

Or  to  the  curious  or  the  pious  eye. 

And  oft,  conducted  by  historic  truth, 

You  tread  the  long  extent  of  backward  time  : 

Planning,  with  warm  benevolence  of  mind. 

And  honest  zeal  unwarped  by  party-rage, 

Britannia's  weal ;  how  from  the  venal  gulf 

To  raise  her  virtue,  and  her  arts  revive. 

Or,  turning  thence  thy  view,  these  graver  thought* 

The  muses  charm  ;  while,  with  sure  taste  refined, 

You  draw  the  inspiring  breath  of  ancient  song, 

Till  nobly  rises,  emulous,  thy  own. 

Perhaps  thy  loved  Lucinda  shares  thy  walk, 

With  soul  to  thine  attuned.     Then  Nature  all 

Wears  to  the  lover's  eye  a  look  of  love  ; 

And  all  the  tumult  of  a  guilty  world. 

Tossed  by  ungenerous  passioDs,  sinks  away. 

The  tender  heart  is  animated  peace  ; 

And  as  it  pours  its  copious  treasures  forth. 

In  varied  converse,  softening  every  theme. 

You,  frequent-pausing,  turn,  and  from  her  eyes, 

Where  meekened  sense,  and  amiable  grace. 

And  lively  sweetness  dwell,  enraptured  drink 

That  nameless  spirit  of  ethereal  joy. 

Inimitable  happiness  !  which  love 

Alone  bestows,  and  on  a  favored  few. 

Meantime  you  gain  the  height,  from  whose  fair  broH 

The  bursting  prospect  spreads  immense  around  ; 

And  snatched  o'er  hill  and  dale,  and  wood  and  lawn, 

And  v(!rdant  field,  and  darkening  heath  between, 

And  villages  embosomed  soft  in  trees, 

And  spiry  towns  by  surging  columns  marked 

Of  household  smoke,  your  eye  excursive  roams  ; 

Wide-stretching  from  the  hall,  in  whose  kind  haunt 

The  hospitable  genius  lingers  still. 

To  where  the  broken  landseaj)e,  by  degrees 

Ascending,  roughens  into  viyjid  liills  — 


SPRING.  3$ 

O'er  which  the  Cambrian  mountains,  like  far  clouds 
That  skirt  the  blue  horizon,  dusky  rise. 

Flushed  by  the  spirit  of  the  genial  year, 
Now  from  the  virgin's  cheek  a  fresher  bloom 
SJioots,  less  and  less,  the  live  carnation  round  ; 
Her  lips  blush  deeper  sweets  ;  she  breathes  of  youth  ; 
The  shining  moisture  swells  into  her  eyes 
In  brighter  flow  ;  her  wishing  bosom  heaves 
With  palpitations  wild  ;  kind  tumults  seize 
Her  veins,  and  all  her  yielding  soul  is  love. 
From  the  keen  gaze  her  lover  turns  away. 
Full  of  the  dear  ecstatic  power,  and  sick 
With  sighing  languishment.     Ah  then,  ye  fair! 
Be  greatly  cautious  of  your  sliding  hearts  : 
Dare  not  the  infectious  sigh  ;  the  pleading  look, 
Downcast  and  low,  in  meek  submission  dressed, 
But  full  of  guile.     Let  not  the  fervent  tongue, 
Prompt  to  deceive,  with  adulation  smooth, 
Gain  on  your  purposed  will.     Nor  in  the  bower. 
Where  woodbines  flaunt  and  roses  shed  a  couch. 
While  evening  draws  her  crimson  curtains  round, 
Trust  your  soft  minutes  with  betraying  man. 

And  lot  the  aspiring  youth  beware  of  love, 
Of  the  smooth  glance  beware  ;  for  'tis  too  late, 
When  on  his  heart  the  torrent  softness  pours. 
Then  wisdom  prostrate  lies,  and  fading  fame 
Dissolves  in  air  away  ;  while  the  fond  soul, 
W^rapt  in  gay  visions  of  unreal  bliss, 
Still  paints  the  illusive  form,  the  kindling  grace, 
The  enticing  smile,  the  modest-seeming  eye, 
Beneath  whose  Ix-nutcous  beams,  belying  heaven, 
Lurk  searchless  cunning,  cruelty,  and  death  : 
And  still,  false-waibling  in  his  cheated  ear, 
Her  siren  voice,  enchanting,  draws  jiim  on 
To  guileful  shores,  and  meads  of  fatal  joy. 

Even  present,  in  the  very  lap  of  love 
Inglorious  laid  — while  music;  flows  around, 
I*erfurues,  and  oils,  and  wine,  and  wanton  hours - 
Airrxl  the  roses,  ti(!r(!e  repr'ntance  rears 
Her  snaky  crest  :  a  quick-veturning  panej 


54  SPR/ATG. 

Shoots  through  the  conscious  heart ;    where   honof 

still 
And  great  design,  against  the  oppressive  load 
Of  luxury,  by  fits,  impatient  heave. 

But  absent,  what  fantastic  woes,  aroused, 
Rage  in  each  thought,  by  restless  musing  fed, 
Chill  the  warm  cheek,  and  blast  the  bloom  of  life  1 
Neglected  fortune  flies  ;    and,  sliding  swift, 
Prone  into  ruin  fall  his  scorned  affairs. 
'Tis  naught  but  gloom  around.     The  darkened  sun 
Loses  his  light.     The  rosy-bosomed  Spring 
To  weeping  fancy  pines  ;  and  yon  bright  arch, 
Contracted,  bends  into  a  dusky  vault. 
All  nature  fades  extinct ;  and  she  alone 
Heard,  felt,  and  seen,  possesses  every  thought. 
Fills  every  sense,  and  pants  in  every  vein. 
Books  are  but  formal  dullness,  tedious  friends  ; 
And  sad  amid  the  social  band  he  sits, 
Lonely  and  unattentive.     From  the  tongue 
The  unfinished  period  falls  :  while,  borne  away 
On  swelling  thought,  his  wafted  spirit  fiies 
To  the  vain  bosom  of  his  distant  fair  ; 
And  leaves  the  semblance  of  a  lover,  fixed 
In  melancholy  site,  with  head  declined, 
And  love-dejected  eyes.     Sudden  he  starts, 
Shook  from  his  tender  trance,  and  restless  runs 
To  glimmering  shades  and  sympathetic  glooms. 
Where  the  dun  umbrage  o'er  the  falling  stream, 
Romantic,  hangs  ;  there  through  the  pensive  dusk 
Strays,  in  heart-thrilling  meditation  lost. 
Indulging  all  to  love  ;  or  on  the  bank 
Thrown,  amid  drooping  lilies,  swells  the  breeze 
With  sighs  unceasing,  and  the  brook  with  tears. 
Thus  in  soft  anguish  he  consumes  the  day  ; 
Nor  quits  his  deep  retirement,  till  the  moon 
Peeps  through  the  chambers  of  the  fleecy  east, 
Enlightened  by  degrees,  and  in  her  train 
Leads  on  the  gentle  hours  ;  then  forth  he  walks 
Beneath  the  trembling  languish  of  her  beam. 
With  softened  soul,  and  wooes  the  bird  of  eve 


SPRING.  88 

To  mingle  woes  with  his  ;  or,  while  the  world 

And  all  the  sons  of  care  lie  hushed  in  sleep, 

Associates  with  the  midnight  shadows  drear  ; 

And,  sighing  to  the  lonely  taper,  })ours 

Hia  idly-tortured  heart  into  the  page 

Meant  for  the  moving  messenger  of  love  — 

Where  rapture  burns  on  rapture,  every  line 

With  rising  frenzy  fired.     But  if  on  bed 

Delirious  flung,  sleep  from  his  pillow  flies. 

All  night  he  tosses,  nor  the  balmy  power 

In  any  posture  finds  ;  till  the  gray  morn 

Lifts  her  pale  luster  on  the  paler  wretch, 

Exanimate  by  love  :  and  then  perhaps 

Exhausted  nature  sinks  a  while  to  rest, 

Still  interrupted  by  distracted  dreams, 

That  o'er  the  sick  imagination  rise 

And  in  black  colors  paint  the  mimic  scene. 

Oft  with  the  enchantress  of  his  soul  he  talks  . 

Sometimes  in  crowds  distressed  ;  or  if  retired 

To  secret-winding  flower-inwoven  bowers. 

Far  from  the  dull  impertinence  of  man, 

Just  as  he,  incredulous,  his  endless  cares, 

Begins  to  lose  in  blind  oblivious  love. 

Snatched  from  her  yielded  hand,  he  knows  not  how, 

Through  forests  huge,  and  long  untraveled  heaths 

With  desolation  brown,  he  wanders  waste. 

In  night  and  tempest  wrapt  :  or  shrinks,  aghast. 

Back  from  the  bending  precipice  ;  or  wades 

The  turbid  stream  below,  and  strives  to  reach 

The  further  shore,  where  succorless  and  sad 

She  with  extended  arms  his  aid  implores, 

But  strives  in  vain  :  borne  by  the  outrageous  flood 

To  distance  down,  he  rides  the  ridgy  wave. 

Or  whelmed  beneath  the  boiling  eddy  sinks. 

These  are  the  charming  agonies  of  love, 
Whose  misery  deliglits.     Hut  through  the  heart 
Should  jealousy  its  venom  once  diffuse, 
'Tis  then  delightful  misery  no  more. 
But  agony  unmixed,  incessant  gall. 
Corroding  every  thought,  aji<l  blasting  all 


II  SPHrNG. 

Love's  paradise.     Ye  fairy  prospects,  then, 

Ye  beds  of  roses,  and  ye  bowers  of  joy, 

Farewell  !     Ye  gleamings  of  departed  peace, 

Shine  out  your  last  !  the  yellow-tinging  plague 

Internal  vision  taints,  and  in  a  night 

Of  livid  gloom  imagination  wraps. 

Ah  !  then,  instead  of  love-enlivened  cheeks 

Of  sunny  features,  and  of  ardent  eyes 

With  flowing  rapture  bright,  dark  looks  succee-i. 

Suff'ised  and  glaring  with  untender  fire  ; 

A  clouded  aspect,  and  a  burning  cheek, 

Where  the  whole  poiisoned  soul  malignant  sits. 

And  frightens  love  away.     Ten  thousand  fears 

Invented  wild,  ten  thousand  frantic  views 

Of  horrid  rivals,  hanging  on  the  charms 

For  which  he  melts  in  fondness,  eat  him  up 

With  fervent  anguish,  and  consuming  rage. 

In  vain  reproaches  lend  their  idle  aid, 

Deceitful  pride,  and  resolution  frail, 

Giving  false  peace  a  moment.     Fancy  pours, 

Afresh,  her  beauties  on  his  busy  thought ; 

Her  first  endearments,  twining  round  the  soul, 

With  all  the  witchcraft  of  insnaring  love. 

Straight  the  fierce  storm  involves  his  mind  anew  , 

Flames  through  the  nerves,  and  boils  along  the  veins 

While  anxious  doubt  distracts  the  tortured  heart  : 

For  even  the  sad  assurance  of  his  fears 

Were  peace  to  what  he  feels.     Thus  the  warm  youth. 

Whom  love  deludes  into  his  thorny  wilds. 

Through  flowery-tempting  paths,  or  leads  a  life 

Of  fevered  rapture,  or  of  cruel  care  ; 

His  brightest  flames  extinguished  all,  and  all 

His  lively  moments  running  down  to  waste. 

But  happy  they  !  the  happiest  of  their  kind  I 
Whom  gentler  stars  unite,  and  in  one  fate 
Their  hearts,  their  fortunes,  and  their  beings  blend* 
'Tis  not  the  coarser  tie  of  human  laws, 
Unnatural  oft,  and  foreign  to  the  mind, 
That  binds  their  peace,  but  harmony  itself. 
Attuning  all  their  passions  into  love  j 


SPHtNO.  « 

Where  friendship  full-exerts  her  softest  power 

Perfect  esteem  enlivened  by  desire 

Ineffable,  and  sympathy  of  soul ; 

Thought  meeting  thougiit,  and  will  preventing  will, 

With  boundless  confidence  :  for  naught  but  love 

Can  answer  love,  and  render  bliss  secure. 

he^  him,  ungenerous,  who,  alone  intent 

To  bless  himself,  from  sordid  parents  buys 

The  loathing  virgin,  in  eternal  care, 

Well  merited,  consume  his  nights  and  days ; 

Let  barbarous  nations,  whose  inhuman  love 

Is  wild  desire,  tierce  as  the  suns  they  feel ; 

Let  eastern  tyrants  from  the  light  of  heaven 

Seclude  their  bosom  slaves,  meanly  possessed 

Of  a  mere  lifeless,  violated  form  : 

While  those  whom  love  cements  in  holy  faith, 

And  equal  transport,  free  as  Nature  live, 

Disdaining  fear.     What  is  the  world  to  them, 

Its  pomp,  its  pleasure,  and  its  nonsense  all ! 

Who  in  each  other  clasp  whatever  fair 

High  fancy  forms,  and  lavish  hearts  can  wish  ; 

Something  than  beauty  dearer,  should  they  look 

Or  on  the  mind,  or  mind-illumined  face  — 

Truth,  goodness,  honor,  harmony,  and  love, 

The  richest  bounty  of  indulgent  Heaven. 

Meantime  a  smiling  offspring  rises  round. 

And  mingles  both  their  graces.     By  degrees. 

The  human  blossom  blows  ;  and  every  day, 

Soft  as  it  rolls  along,  shows  some  new  charm. 

The  father's  luster  and  the  mother's  bloom. 

Then  infant  reason  grows  apace,  and  calls 

For  the  kind  hand  of  an  assiduous  care. 

Delightful  task  !   to  rear  tlie  tender  thought, 

To  teach  the  young  i<iea  how  to  shoot. 

To  pour  the  fresh  instruction  o'er  the  mind. 

To  breathe  the  enliv(!ning  spirit,  and  to  fix 

The  generous  purjiose  in  the  glowing  breast. 

Oh  speak  the  joy  !   ye  whom  the  sudden  tear 

Surprises  often,  wliile  you  look  around, 

And  nothing  strikes  your  eye  but  sights  of  bliss, 


M  SUMMER. 

All  various  Nature  pressing  on  the  heart ; 

An  elegant  sufficiency,  content, 
Retirement,  rural  quiet,  friendship,  books. 
Ease  and  alternate  labor,  useful  life. 
Progressive  virtue,  and  approving  Heaven. 
These  are  the  matchless  joys  of  virtuous  love  ; 
And  thus  their  moments  fly.     The  Seasons  thui^ 
As  ceaseless  round  a  jarring  world  they  roll, 
Still  find  them  happy  ;  and  consenting  Spring 
Sheds  her  own  rosy  garland  on  their  iieads  : 
Till  evening  comes  at  last,  serene  and  mild  ; 
When  after  the  long  vernal  day  of  life, 
Enamored  more,  as  more  remembrance  swells 
With  many  a  proof  of  recollected  love. 
Together  down  they  sink  in  social  sleep  ; 
Together  freed,  their  gentle  spirits  fly 
To  scenes  where  love  and  bliss  immortal  reign. 

{No  more  teas  vrritten.) 


SUMMER 

TO   THE   RIGHT    HONORABLE     MR.     DODINGTON,     ONE  OP   THl 
LORDS  OP  HIS   majesty's  TREASURY,  ETC. 

Sir, —  It  is  not  my  purpose,  in  this  address,  to  run  into  the 
common  tract  of  dedicators,  and  attempt  a  panegyric  which 
would  prove  ungrateful  to  you,  too  arduous  for  me,  and  super- 
fluous with  regard  to  the  world.  To  you  it  would  prove  un- 
grateful, since  there  is  a  certain  generous  delicacy  in  men  of 
the  most  distinguished  merit,  disposing  them  to  avoid  those 
praises  they  so  powerfully  attract.  And  when  I  consider  that 
a  character,  in  which  the  Virtues,  the  Graces,  and  the  Muses 
join  their  influence,  as  much  exceeds  the  expression  of  the 
most  elegant  and  judicious  pen,  as  the  finished  beauty  does  the 
representation  of  the  pencil,  1  have  the  best  reason  for  declin- 
ing an  arduous  undertaking.  As,  indeed,  it  would  be  super- 
fluous in  itself  ;  for  wliat  reachu'  need  be  told  of  those  great 
abilities  in  the  management  of  j)ublic  affairs,  and  those  amiable 
iiccomplishments  in  j)rivate  life,  which  you  so  eminently  pos- 
sess.     The  general    voice  is  loud  in  the  praise  of  so  many 


SUMMER.  89 

virtaes,  though  posterity  alone  will  do  them  justice.  But  may 
you,  sir,  live  long  to  illustrate  your  own  fame  by  your  own 
actions,  and  by  them  be  transmitted  to  future  times  as  the 
British  Maecenas  ! 

Your  example  has  recommended  poetry,  with  the  greatest 
grace,  to  the  admiration  of  those  who  ure  engaged  in  llie 
highest  and  most  active  scenes  of  life:  and  this,  though  con- 
fessedly the  least  considerable  of  those  exalted  qualities  that 
dignify  your  character,  must  be  particularly  pleasing  to  one, 
whose"  only  hope  of  being  introduced  to  your  regard  is  througlj 
the  recommendation  of  an  art  in  which  you  are  a  master 
But  I  forget  what  I  have  been  declaring  above,  and  r.iust 
therefore  turn  my  eyes  to  the  following  sheets.  I  am  not 
ignorant  that,  when  offered  to  your  perusal,  they  are  put  into 
the  hands  of  one  of  the  finest,  and  consequently  the  most 
indulgent  judges  of  the  age  :  but  as  there  is  no  mediocrity  in 
poetry,  so  should  there  be  no  limit  to  its  ambition.  I  vniure 
directly  on  the  trial  of  my  fame.  If  what  I  here  present  you 
has  any  merit  to  gain  your  approbation,  I  am  not  afraid  of  its 
success  ;  and  if  it  fails  of  your  notice,  I  give  it  up  to  its  just 
fate.  Tliis  advantage  at  least  I  secure  to  myself,  an  occasion 
of  thus  publicly  declaring  that  I  am,  with  the  profoundest 
veneration,  sir,  your  most  devoted,  humble  servant, 

James  Thomson, 

Argument. — The  subject  proposed— Invocation — Address  to 
Mr.  Dodington — An  introductory  reflection  on  the  motion 
of  the  heavenly  bodies  ;  whence  the  succession  of  the  tSca 
sons — As  the  face  of  Nature  in  tiiis  season  is  almost  uniform, 
the  progress  of  the  poem  is  a  description  of  a  summer's  day 
— The  dawn — Sunrisiug — Hymn  to  the  sun — F(jrenoon — 
Summer  insects  described — Hay-making — Sheep-shearing — 
Noon-day — A  wood-land  retreat — Group  of  herds  and  flocks 
—A  solemn  grove  :  how  it  affects  a  contemplative  mind — 
A  cataract,  and  rude  .scene — View  of  Summer  in  the  torrid 
zone — Storm  of  thunder  and  lightning— A  tale— The  storm 
over,  a  .serene  afternoon— Bathing — Hour  of  walking — 
Transition  to  the  prospect  of  a  rich  well  cultivated  country, 
which  introduces  a  panegyric  on  Great  Britain — Sunset — 
Evening — Night — Summer'  meteors — A  comet — The  whole 
concluding  with  the  praise  of  philosophy. 

From  brightening  fields  of  ether  fair  disclosed, 

Child  of  the  Sun,  refulgent  Summer  comes, 

In  pride  of  youth,  an<l  felt  through  Nature's  depth 

lie  comes  attended  by  the  sultry  liours, 

And  ever-fanning  breezes,  on  his  way  ; 

While,  from  his  ardent  look,  the  turning  Spring 


II  SUMMER. 

Averts  her  blushing  face  ;  aud  earth,  and  skies, 
All-smiling,  to  his  hot  dominion  leaves. 

Hence,  let  me  haste  into  the  raid-wood  shade, 
Where  scarce  a  sunbeam  wanders  through  the  gioom  { 
And  on  the  dark  green  grass,  beside  the  brink 
Of  haunted  stream,  that  by  the  roots  of  oak 
Rolls  o'er  the  rocky  channel,  lie  at  large. 
And  sing  the  glories  of  the  circling  year. 

Come,  inspiration  !  from  thy  hermit  seat, 
i5y  mortal  seldom  found  :  may  fancy  dare, 
From  thy  fixed  serious  eye,  and  raptured  glance 
Shot  out  surrounding  Heaven,  to  steal  one  look 
Creative  of  the  poet,  every  power 
Exalting  to  an  ecstasy  of  soul. 

And  thou,  my  youthful  muse's  early  friend. 
In  whom  the  human  graces  all  unite  ; 
Pure  light  of  mind,  and  tenderness  of  heart  ; 
Genius  and  wisdom  ;  the  gay  social  sense, 
By  decency  chastised  ;  goodness  and  wit. 
In  seldom -meeting  harmony  combined  ; 
Unblemished  honor,  and  an  active  zeal 
For  Britain's  glory,  liberty,  and  man  : 
O  Dodington  !  attend  my  rural  song. 
Stoop  to  my  theme,  inspirit  every  line. 
And  teach  me  to  deserve  thy  just  applause. 

With  what  an  awful  world-revolving  power 
Were  first  the  unwieldly  planets  launched  along 
The  illimitable  void  !  thus  to  remain, 
Amid  the  flux  of  many  thousand  years. 
That  oft  has  swept  the  toiling  race  of  men 
And  all  their  labored  monuments  away, 
Firm,  unremitting,  matchless,  in  their  course  ; 
To  the  kind-tempered  change  of  night  and  day, 
And  of  the  Seasons  ever  stealing  round, 
Minutely  faithful  :  such  the  All-perfect  Hand 
That  poised,  impels,  and  rules  the  steady  whole. 

When  now  no  more  the  alternate  Twins  are  fire^ 
And  Cancer  reddens  with  the  solar  blaze, 
Short  is  the  doubtful  em})ire  of  the  night  ; 
And  soon,  obsei-vant  of  approaching  day. 


SUMMER.  a 

Tho  meek-eyed  morn  appears,  mother  of  dews, 
At  tirst  faint  gleaming  in  the  dappled  east  — 
Till  far  o'er  ether  spreads  the  widening  glow, 
And,  from  before  the  luster  of  her  face, 
White  break  the  clouds  away.     With  quickened  stey 
Brown  night  retires.     Young  day  pours  in  apace, 
And  opens  all  the  lawny  prospect  wide. 
The  dripping  rock,  the  mountain's  misty  top, 
Swell  on  the  sight,  and  brighten  with  the  dawn. 
Blue,  through  the  dust,  the  smoking  currents  shine  ; 
And  from  the  bladed  field  the  fearful  hare 
Limps,  awkward  ;  while  along  the  forest  glade 
The  wild  deer  trip,  and  often  turning  gaze 
At  early  passenger.     Music  awakes, 
The  native  voice  of  undisserabled  joy  ; 
And  thick  around  the  woodland  hymns  arise. 
Roused  by  the  cock,  the  soon-clad  shepherd  leaves 
His  mossy  cottage,  where  with  peace  he  dwells  ; 
And  from  the  crowded  fold,  in  order,  drives 
His  flock,  to  taste  the  verdure  of  the  morn. 

Falsely  luxurious,  will  not  man  awake  ; 
And,  springing  from  the  bed  of  sloth,  enjoy 
The  cool,  the  fragrant,  and  the  silent  hour, 
To  meditation  due  and  sacred  song  ? 
For  is  there  aught  in  sleep  can  charm  the  wise  ? 
To  lie  in  dead  oblivion,  losing  half 
The  fleeting  moments  of  too  short  a  life  ; 
Total  extinction  of  the  enlightened  soul  ! 
Or  else  to  feverish  vanity  alive, 

Wildered,  and  tossing  through  distempered  dreams  I 
Who  would  in  such  a  gloomy  state  remain 
Longer  than  Nature  craves  ;  when  every  muse 
And  every  blooming  pleasure  wait  without, 
To  bless  the  wildly-devious  morning- walk  ? 

l^ut  yonder  comes  the  powerful  king  of  day, 
Rejoicing  in  the  east.     The  lessening  chjud, 
I'he  kindling  azure,  and  the  tnountaii/;;  brow 
Illumed   with  fluid  gold,  his  near  a])proacK 
i{(.f,,Lrun  <^lad.     Lo  !   now  apparent  all, 
.-•/»i4ni  the  ucw-origivi  aar^b^  "•"!  colored  air, 


4d  SUMMER. 

He  looks  in  boundless  majesty  abroad  ; 

And  sheds  the  shining  day,  that  burnished  playt 

On    rocks,   and   hilk,    and    towers,    and    wandering 

streams, 
High-gleaming  from  6.far.     Prime  cheerer,  light  1 
Of  all  material  beings,  first  and  best ! 
Efflux  divine  \  Nature's  resplendent  robe  ! 
Without  whose  vesting  beauty  all  were  wrapt 
In  unessential  gloom  ;  and  thou,  O  sun  ! 
Soul  of  surrounding  vorlds  !  in  whom  best  seen 
Shines  out  thy  Maker  i  may  I  sing  of  thee  ? 
'Tis  by  thy  secret,  strong,  attractive  force, 
As  with  a  chain  indissoluble  bound, 
Thy  system  rolls  entire  ;  from  the  far  bourn 
Of  utmost  Saturn,  wheeling  wide  his  round 
Of  thirty  years,  to  Mercury,  whose  disk 
Can  scarce  be  caught  by  philosophic  eye. 
Lost  in  the  near  effulgence  of  thy  blaze. 

Informer  of  the  planetary  train  ! 
Without  whose  quickening  glance  their  cumbrous  orbs 
Were  brute  unlovely  mass,  inert  and  dead, 
And  not,  as  now,  the  green  abodes  of  life  — 
How  many  forms  of  being  wait  on  thee  ! 
Inhaling  spirit ;  from  the  unfettered  mind. 
By  thee  sublimed,  down  to  the  daily  race. 
The  mixing  myriads  of  thy  setting  beam. 

The  vegetable  world  is  also  thine, 
Parent  of  Seasons  !  who  the  pomp  precede 
That  waits  thy  throne,  as  through  thy  vast  domain. 
Annual,  along  the  bright  ecliptic  road. 
In  the  world-rejoicing  state,  it  moves  sublime. 
Meantime,  the  expecting  nations,  circled  gay 
With  all  the  various  tribes  of  foodful  earth, 
Implore  thy  bounty,  or  send  grateful  up 
A  common  hymn  ;  while,  round  thy  beaming  car, 
High-seen,  the  Seasons  lead,  in  sprightly  dance 
Harmonious  knit,  the  rosy-fingered  hours. 
The  zephyrs  floating  loose,  the  timely  rains, 
Of  bloom  ethereal  the  light-footed  dews, 
And  softened  into  joy  the  surly  storms. 


SUMMER.  43 

These  in  successive  turn,  with  lavish  hand, 
Shower  every  beauty,  every  fragrance  shower, 
Herbs,  flowers,  and  fruits  ;  till,  kindling  at  thy  touch, 
From  land  to  land  is  flushed  the  vernal  year. 

Nor  to  the  surface  of  enlivened  earth, 
Graceful  with  hills  and  dales,  and  leafy  woods, 
Her  liberal  tresses,  is  thy  force  confined  — 
But,  to  the  bowel  ed  cavern  darting  deep, 
The  mineral  kinds  confess  thy  mighty  })Ower. 
Effulgent,  hence  the  veiny  marble  shines  ; 
Hence  labor  draws  his  tools  ;  hence  burnished  war 
Gleamp  on  the  day  ;  the  nobler  works  of  j^eace 
Hence  bless  mankind  ;  and  generous  commerce  binds 
The  round  of  nations  in  a  golden  chain. 

The  unfruitful  rock  itself,  impregned  by  thee, 
In  dark  retirement  forms  the  lucid  stone. 
The  lively  diamond  drinks  thy  purest  rays. 
Collected  light,  compact  ;  that,  polished  bright. 
And  all  its  native  luster  let  abroad. 
Dares,  as  it  sparkles  on  the  fair  one's  breast, 
With  vain  ambition  emulate  her  eyes. 
At  thee,  the  ruby  lights  its  deepening  glow, 
And  with  a  waving  radiance  inward  flames. 
From  thee  the  sapphire,  solid  ether,  takes 
Its  hue  cerulean  ;  and,  of  eviMiing  tinct. 
The  purple-streaming  amethyst  is  thine. 
With  thy  own  smile  the  yellow  tojir^:  burns  ; 
Nor  deeper  verdure  dyes  the  robe  of  Spring, 
When  first  she  gives  it  to  the  southern  gale, 
Than  the  green  emerald  shows.  But,  all  combined. 
Thick  through  the  whitening  opal  play  thy  beams  ; 
Or,  flying  several  from  its  surface,  form 
A  trembling  variance  of  revolving  hues. 
As  the  sight  varies  in  the  ga/cr's  hand. 

The  very  dead  creation,  from  thy  touch. 
Assumes  a  mimic  life.     By  thee  refined, 
Fn  brighter  mazes  the  reliicent  stream 
riays  o'or  the  mead.     The  precipice  abrupt. 
I'lojijcting  horror  on  the  l)lackened  flood, 
■if  tens  Ht  tl  y  return.     The  desert  joys 


44  SUMMER. 

Wildly,  through  all  his  melancholy  bounds. 
Rude  ruins  glitter  ;  and  the  briny  deep, 
Seen  from  some  pointed  promontory's  top. 
Far  to  the  blue  horizon's  utmost  verge, 
Restless,  reflects  a  floating  gleam.     But  this, 
And  all  the  much-transported  muse  can  sing. 
Are  to  thy  beauty,  dignity,  and  use. 
Unequal  far  ;  great  delegated  source 
Of  light,  and  life,  and  grace,  and  joy  below  ! 

How  shall  I  then  attempt  to  sing  of  Him, 
Who,  Light  Himself  !  in  uncreated  light 
Invested  deep,  dwells  awfully  retired 
From  mortal  eye,  or  angel's  purer  ken  ; 
Whose  single  smile  has,  from  the  first  of  time. 
Filled,  overflowing,  all  those  lamps  of  heaven. 
That  beam  forever  through  the  boundless  sky  : 
But,  should  he  hide  his  face,  the  astonished  sun. 
And  all  the  extinguished  stars,  would  loosening  reel 
Wide  from  their  spheres,  and  chaos  come  again. 

And  yet  was  every  faltering  tongue  of  man, 
Almighty  Father  !  silent  in  thy  praise. 
Thy  works  themselves  would  raise  a  general  voice  ; 
Even  in  the  depth  of  solitary  woods, 
By  human  foot  untrod,  proclaim  thy  power  ; 
And  to  the  choir  celestial  Thee  resound. 
The  eternal  cause,  support,  and  end  of  all ! 

To  me  be  Nature's  volume  broad-displayed  ; 
And  to  peruse  its  all  instructing  page. 
Or,  haply  catching  inspiration  thence, 
Some  easy  passage,  raptured  to  translate. 
My  sole  delight ;  as  through  the  falling  glooms 
Pensive  I  stray,  or  with  the  rising  dawn 
On  fancy's  eagle-wing  excursive  soar. 

Now,  flaming  up  the  heavens,  the  potent  sun 
Melts  into  limpid  air  the  high-raised  clouds, 
And  morning  fogs,  that  hovered  round  the  hills 
In  party-colored  bands  ;  till  wide  unveiled 
The  face  of  Nature  shines,  from  where  earth  scemg, 
Far-stretched  around,  to  meet  the  bending  sphere. 

Half  in  a  bluslr  of  clustering  roses  lost. 


SUMMER.  41 

Dew-dropping  coolness  to  the  shade  retires, 
There  on  the  verdent  turf,  or  ilowery  bed, 
By  gelid  founts  and  careless  rills  to  muse  ; 
While  tyrant  heat,  dispreading  through  the  sky. 
With  rapid  sway,  his  burning  influence  darts 
On  man,  and  beast,  and  herb,  and  tepid  stream. 

Who  can  unpitying  see  the  flowery  race. 
Shed  by  the  morn,  their  new-flushed  bloom  resign. 
Before  the  parching  beam  ?  So  fade  the  fair. 
When  fevers  revel  through  their  azure  veins. 
But  one,  the  lofty  follower  of  the  sun. 
Sad.  when  he  sits,  shuts  up  her  yellow  leaves, 
Drooping  all  night  ;  and,  when  he  warm  returns, 
Points  her  enamored  bosom  to  his  ray. 

Home,  from  his  morning  task,  the  swain  retreats  ; 
His  flock  before  him  stepping  to  the  fold  : 
While  the  full-uddered  mother  lows  around 
The  cheerful  cottage,  then  expecting  food, 
The  food  of  innocence  and  health  !  The  daw. 
The  rook,  and  magpie,  to  the  gray-grown  oaks 
(That  the  calm  village  in  their  verdant  arms, 
Sheltering,  embrace)  direct  their  lazy  flight ; 
Where  on  the  mingling  boughs  they  sit  embowered, 
All  the  hot  noon,  till  cooler  hours  arise. 
Faint,  underneath,  the  household  fowls  convene  ; 
And,  in  a  corner  of  the  buzzing  shade, 
The  housedog,  with  the  vacant  greyhound,  lies, 
Outstretched  and  sleepy.     In  his  slumbers  one 
Attacks  the  nightly  thief,  and  one  exults 
O'er  hill  and  dale  ;  till,  wakened  by  the  wasp. 
They  starting  snap.     Nor  shall  the  muse  disdain 
To  let  the  little  noisy  suinnier-race 
Live  in  her  lay,  and  flutter  througli  her  song. 
Not  mean  though  sinijde  :  to  the  sun  allied. 
From  him  they  draw  their  animating  fire. 

Waked  by  his  warmer  ray,  the  reptile  young 
Come  wini^cd  aljroad  ;  by  the  light  air  upborne, 
Lighter,  and  full  of  soul.     From  every  chink, 
And  secret  corner,  wiiere  they  8l('[)t  away 
The  wintry  storms  —  or  rising  from  their  tombs, 


40  SUMMER. 

To  higher  life  —  by  myriads,  forth  at  onc6, 

Swarming  they  pour  ;  of  all  the  varied  hue* 

Their  beauty-beaming  parent  can  disclose. 

Ten  thousand  forms  !  ten  thousand  different  tribes  I 

People  the  blaze.     To  sunny  waters  some 

By  fatal  instinct  fly  ;  where  on  the  pool 

They,  sportive,  wheel  ;  or,  sailing  down  the  stream, 

n.re  snatched  immediate  by  the  quick-eyed  trout, 

Or  darting  salmon.     Through  the  greenwood  glade 

Some  love  to  stray  ;  there  lodged,  amused,  and  fed, 

In  the  fresh  leaf.     Luxurious,  others  make 

The  meads  their  choice,  and  visit  every  flower, 

And  every  latent  herb  :  for  the  sweet  task, 

To  propagate  their  kinds,  and  where  to  wrap, 

In  what  soft  beds,  their  young  yet  undisclosed, 

Employs  their  tender  care.     Some  to  the  house, 

The  fold,  and  dairy,  hungry,  bend  their  flight ; 

Sip  round  the  pail,  or  taste  the  curdling  cheese  : 

Oft,  inadvertent,  from  the  milky  stream 

They  meet  their  fate  ;  or,  weltering  in  the  bowl, 

With  powerless  wings  around  them  wrapt,  expire. 

But  chief  to  heedless  flies  the  window  proves 
A  constant  death  ;  where,  gloomily  retired. 
The  villain  spidei-  lives,  cunning  and  fierce. 
Mixture  abhorred  !  Amid  a  mangled  heap 
Of  carcasses,  in  eager  watch  he  sits, 
O'erlooking  all  his  waving  snares  around. 
Near  the  dire  cell  the  dreadless  wanderer  oft 
Passes  ;  as  oft  the  ruflian  shows  his  front. 
The  prey  at  last  insnared,  he  dreadful  darts. 
With  rapid  glide,  along  the  leaning  line  ; 
And,  fixing  in  the  wretch  his  cruel  fangs, 
Strikes  Ijackward,  grimly  pleased  :  the  fluttering  wing, 
And  shriller  sound,  declare  extreme  distress, 
And  ask  the  helj>ing  hospitable  hand. 

Resounds  the  living  surface  of  the  ground  : 
Nor  undellglitful  is  the  ceaseless  hum, 
'J'o  him  who  muses  through  the  woods  at  noon  ; 
Or  drowsy  shepherd,  as  he  lies  re(;lined, 
With  half-sl"'*  eyes,  beneath  the  floating  shade 


SUMMER  Vt 

Of  willows  gray,  close-crowding  o'er  the  I  rook. 

Gradual,  from  these  what  numerous  kinds  descend. 

Evading  even  the  microscopic  eye  ! 

Full  nature  swarms  with  life  ;  one  inondrous  mass 

Of  animals,  or  atoms  organized, 

Waiting  the  vital  breath,  when  Parent-Heaven 

Shall  bid  his  spirit  blow.     The  hoary  fen 

In  putrid  streams,  emits  the  living  cloud 

Of  pestilence.     Through  subterranean  cells, 

Where  searching  sunbeams  scarce  can  find  a  way, 

Pvarth  animated  heaves.     The  flowery  leaf 

Wants  not  its  soft  inhabitants.     Secure, 

Within  its  winding  citadel,  the  stone 

Holds  multitudes.     But  chief  the  forest-boughs, 

That  dance  unnumbered  to  the  playful  breeze, 

The  downy  orchard,  and  the  melting  pulp 

Of  mellow  fruit,  the  nameless  nations  feed 

Of  evanescent  insects.     Where  the  pool 

Stands  mantled  o'er  with  green,  invisible 

Amid  the  floating  verdure  millions  stray. 

Each  liquid  too,  whether  it  pierces,  soothes, 

Inflames,  refreshes,  or  exalts  the  taste, 

With  various  forms  abounds.     Nor  is  the  stream 

Of  purest  crystal,  nor  the  lucid  air, 

Though  one  transparent  vacancy  it  seems. 

Void  of  their  unseen  people.     These,  concealed 

By  the  kind  art  of  forming  Heaven,  escape 

The  grosser  eye  of  man  :  for,  if  the  worlds 

In  worlds  inclosed  should  on  his  senses  burst. 

From  cates  ambrosial,  and  the  nectared  bowl, 

He  would  abliorrent  turn  ;  and  in  dead  night, 

AVhen  silence  sleeps  o'er  all,  be  stunned  with  noise 

Let  no  presuming  impious  railer  tax 
Creative  Wisdom,  as  if  aught  was  formed 
In  vain,  or  not  for  admirable  ends. 
Shall  little  haughty  ignorance  pronounce 
His  works  unwise,  of  which  the  smallest  part 
Exceeds  the  narrow  vision  of  her  mind  ? 
As  if  upon  a  full  proportioned  dome, 
On  swelling  columns  heaved*  the  pride  of  art  I 


m  SUMMER. 

A  critic-fly,  whose  feeble  ray  scarce  spreads 

An  inch  around,  with  blind  presumption  bold. 

Should  dare  to  tax  the  structure  of  the  whole. 

And  lives  the  man  whose  universal  eye 

Has  swept  at  once  the  unbounded  scheme  of  things, 

Marked  their  dependence  so,  and  firm  accord, 

As  with  unfaltering  accent  to  conclude 

That  this  availeth  naught  ?  Has  any  seen 

The  mighty  chain  of  beings,  lessening  down 

From  infinite  Perfection  to  the  brink 

Of  dreary  nothing,  desolate  abyss  ! 

From  which  astonished  thought,  recoiling,  turns  ? 

Till  then,  alone  let  zealous  praise  ascend. 

And  hymns  of  holy  wonder,  to  that  Power, 

Whose  wisdom  shines  as  lovely  on  our  minds, 

As  on  our  smiling  eyes  his  servant-sun. 

Thick  in  yon  stream  of  light,  a  thousand  ways. 
Upward  and  downward,  thwarting  and  convolved. 
The  quivering  nations  sport  ;  till,  tempest- winged. 
Fierce  Winter  sweeps  them  from  the  face  of  day. 
Even  so  luxurious  men,  unheeding,  pass 
An  idle  summer  life  in  fortune's  shine, 
A  season's  glitter  !  thus  they  flutter  on 
From  toy  to  toy,  from  vanity  to  vice  ; 
Till,  blown  away  by  death,  oblivion  comes 
Behind,  and  strikes  them  from  the  book  of  life. 

Now  swarms  the  village  o'er  the  joyful  mead  : 
The  rustic  youth,  brown  with  meridian  toil. 
Healthful  and  strong  ;  full  as  the  summer  rose 
Blown  by  prevailing  suns,  the  ruddy  maid. 
Half  naked,  swelling  on  the  sight,  and  all 
Her  kindled  graces  burning  o'er  her  cheek. 
Even  stooping  age  is  here  ;  and  infant  hands 
Trail  the  long  rake,  or,  with  the  fragrant  load 
O'ercharged,  amid  the  kind  oppression  roll. 
Wide  flies  the  tedded  grain  ;  all  in  a  row 
Advancing  broad,  or  wheeling  round  the  field, 
They  spread  their  breathing  harvest  to  tlie  sun. 
That  throws  refreshful  round  a  rural  smell  ; 
Or,  as  they  rake  the  green-appearing  groimd, 


SUMMER.  41 

And  drive  the  dusky  wave  along  the  mead, 
The  russet  haycock  rises  thick  behind, 
In  order  gay  :  while  heard  from  dale  to  dale, 
Waking  the  breeze,  resounds  the  blended  voice 
Of  happy  labor,  love,  and  social  glee. 
Or  rushing  thence,  in  one  diffusive  band, 
They  drive  the  troubled  flocks,  by  many  a  dog 
Compelled,  to  where  the  mazy-running  brook 
Forms  a  deep  pool  ;  this  bank  abrupt  and  high, 
And  that,  fair-spreading  in  a  pebbled  shore. 
Urged  to  the  giddy  brink,  much  is  the  toil. 
The  clamor  much,  of  men,  and  boys,  and  dogs, 
Ere  the  soft  fearful  people  to  the  flood 
Commit  their  woolly  sides.     And  oft  the  swain, 
On  some  impatient  seizing,  hurls  them  in  : 
Emboldened  then,  nor  hesitating  more. 
Fast,  fast  they  plunge  amid  the  flashing  wave. 
And  panting  labor  to  the  furthest  shore. 
Repeated  this,  till  deep  the  well-washed  fleece 
Has  drunk  the  flood,  and  from  his  lively  haunt 
The  trout  is  banished  by  the  sordid  stream, 
Heavy  and  dripping,  to  the  breezy  brow 
Slow  move  the  harmless  race  ;  where,  as  they  spread 
Their  swelling  treasures  to  the  sunny  ray. 
Inly  disturbed  and  wondering  what  this  wild 
Outrageous  tumult  means,  their  loud  complaints 
The  country  fill  —  and,  tossed  from  rock  to  rock. 
Incessant  bleatings  run  around  the  hills. 
At  last,  of  snowy  white,  the  gathered  flocks 
Are  in  the  wattled  pen  innumerous  pressed. 
Head  above  head  ;  and  ranged  in  lusty  rows 
The  shepherds  sit,  and  whet  the  sounding  sheers. 
The  housewife  waits  to  roll  her  fleecy  stores, 
With  all  her  gay-drest  maids  attending  round. 
One,  cliief,  in  gracious  dignity  enthroned, 
Shines  o'er  the  rest,  the  pastoral  queen,  and  rays 
Her  smiles,  sweet-beaming,  on  her  sliepherd-king  ; 
While  the  glad  circle  round  them  yiekl  their  souls 
To  festive  mirth,  and  wit  that  knows  no  gall. 
Meantime,  their  joyous  task  goes  on  apace  : 

4 


«d  SUMMER, 

Some  mingling  stir  the  melted  tar,  and  some. 
Deep  on  the  new-shorn  vagrant's  heaving  side. 
To  stamp  his  master's  cipher  ready  stand  ; 
Others  tne  unwilling  wether  drag  along  ; 
And,  glorying  in  his  might,  the  sturdy  boy 
Holds  by  the  twisted  horns  the  indignant  ram. 
Behold  where  bound,  and  of  its  robe  bereft, 
By  needy  man,  that  all-depending  lord, 
How  meek,  how  patient,  the  mild  creature  lies  1 
What  softness  in  its  melancholy  face, 
What  dumb  complaining  innocence  appears  I 
Fear  not,  ye  gentle  tribes,  'tis  not  the  knife 
Of  horrid  slaughter  that  is  o'er  you  waved  ; 
No,  'tis  the  tender  swain's  well-guided  shears, 
Who  having  now,  to  pay  his  annual  care, 
Borrowed  your  fleece,  to  you  a  cumbrous  load, 
Will  send  you  bounding  to  your  hills  again, 

A  simple  scene  !  yet  hence  Britannia  sees 
Her  solid  grandeur  rise  :  hence  she  commands, 
The  exalted  stores  of  every  brighter  clime. 
The  treasures  of  the  sun  without  his  rage  ; 
Hence,  fervent  all,  with  culture,  toil,  and  arts, 
Wide  glows  her  land  ;  her  dreadful  thunder  hence 
Rides  o'er  the  waves  sublime,  and  now,  even  now, 
Impending  hangs  o'er  Gallia's  humbled  coast  ; 
Hence  rules  the  circling  deep,  and  awes  the  world. 

'Tis  raging  noon  ;  and,  vertical,  the  sun 
Darts  on  the  head  direct  his  forceful  rays. 
O'er  heaven  and  earth,  far  as  the  ranging  eye 
Can  sweep  a  dazzling  deluge  reigns  ;  and  all 
From  pole  to  pole,  is  undistinguished  blaze. 
In  vain  the  sight,  dejected  to  the  gi'ouiid, 
Stoops  for  relief  ;  thence  hot-ascending  steam* 
And  keen  reflection  pain.     Deep  to  the  root 
Of  vegetation  parched,  the  cleaving  fields 
And  slippery  lawn  an  arid  hue  disclose, 
Blast  fancy's  bloom,  and  wither  even  the  soul. 
Echo  no  more  returns  the  cheerful  sound 
(^)f  sharpening  scythe  ;  the  mower,  sinking,  heap* 
D'or  him  the  humid  hay,  with  flowers  ])cr^un(»edj 


And  scarce  a  chirping  grasshopper  is  heard 
Through  the  dumb  mead.     Distressful  nature  pants. 
The  very  streams  look  languid  from  afar  ; 
Or,  through  the  unsheltered  glade,  impatient,  seem 
To  hurl  into  the  covert  of  the  grove. 

All-conquering  heat,  oh  intermit  thy  wrath  I 
And  on  my  throbbing  temples  potent  thus 
Beam  not  so  fierce  !  Incessant  still  you  flow, 
And  still  another  fervent  flood  succeeds, 
Poured  on  the  head  profuse.     In  vain  I  sigh, 
And  restless  turn,  and  look  around  for  night : 
Night  is  far  off  ;  and  hotter  hours  appoaoh. 
Thrice  happy  he  !  who  on  the  sunless  side 
Of  a  romantic  mountain,  forest-crowned. 
Beneath  the  whole  collected  shade  reclines  ; 
Or  in  the  gelid  caverns,  woodbine- wrought, 
And  fresh  bedewed  with  ever-sprouting  streams, 
Sits  coolly  calm,  while  all  the  world  without. 
Unsatisfied,  and  sick,  tosses  in  noon. 
Emblem  instructive  of  the  virtuous  man, 
Who  keeps  his  tempered  mind  serene,  and  pure. 
And  every  passion  aptly  harmonized, 
Amid  a  jaiTing  world  with  vice  inflamed. 

Welcome,  ye  shades  !  ye  bowery  thickets,  hail  ? 
Ye  lofty  pines  !  ye  venerablo  oaks  ! 
Y'j  ashes  wild,  resounding  o'Gr  the  steep  ! 
D<"Jieious  is  your  shelter  to  the  soul. 
As  to  the  hunted  hart  Ipy  sallying  spring, 
O"  stream  full-flowin /,  tliathis  swelling  sideB 
Laves,  as  lie  floats  au^ng  the  herbaged  brink. 
Cool,  through  the  nerves,  your  pleasing  comfort  glides  J 
The  heart  beats  glad  ;   the  fiesli  expanded  eye 
And  ear  r<isunie  their  watch  ;  the  sinews  knit  ; 
And  life  shoots  swift  through  uU  the  lightened  limbu 

Around  the  adjoining  brook  that  purls  alc%:g 
The  vocal  grove,  now  frettini^  o'er  a  rock, 
Now  scarcely  moving  tliroiigli  a  reedy  pov''^ 
Now  starting  to  a  sudth-n  stream,  anc?  nov 
(ifutly  diffused  into  a  li:i"j>i(i  ).!:iin, 
A  various  group  the  herdn  I'-i  ^-^ck^  ^' jv^^^m*^ 


n  SUMMER. 

Rural  confusion  !  On  the  grassy  bank 
Some  ruminating  lie  ;  while  others  stand 
Half  in  the  flood,  and  often  bending  sip 
The  circling  surface.     In  the  middle  droops 
The  strong  laborious  ox,  of  honest  front. 
Which  incomposed  he  shakes  ;  and  from  his  sides 
The  troublous  insects  lashes  with  his  tail, 
Returning  still.     Amid  his  subjects  safe, 
Slumbers  the  monarch-swain  ;  his  careless  arm 
Thrown  round  his  head,  on  downy  moss  sustained ; 
Here  laid  his  scrip,  with  wholesome  viands  filled  ; 
There,  listening  every  noise,  his  watchful  dog. 

Light  fly  his  slumbers,  if  perchance  a  flight 
Of  angry  gadflies  fasten  on  the  herd  ; 
That  startling  scatters  from  the  shallow  brook, 
In  search  of  lavish  stream.     Tossing  the  foam, 
They  scorn  the  keeper's  voice,  and  scour  the  plain 
Through  all  the  bright  severity  of  noon  ; 
While,  from  their  laboring  breasts,  a  hollow  moan 
Proceeding,  runs  low-bellowing  round  the  hills. 

Oft  in  this  season  too  the  horse,  provoked, 
While  his  big  sinews  full  of  spirits  swell, 
Trembling  with  vigor,  in  the  heat  of  blood. 
Springs  the  high  fence  ;  and,  o'er  the  field  effused, 
Darts  on  the  gloomy  flood,  with  steadfast  eye. 
And  heart  estranged  to  fear  :  his  nervous  chest. 
Luxuriant  and  erect,  the  seat  of  strength  ! 
Bears  down    the   opposing   stream ;    quenchless    his 

thirst. 
He  takes  the  river  at  redoubled  draughts  ; 
And  with  wide  nostrils,  snorting,  skims  the  wave. 

Still  let  me  pierce  into  the  midnight  depth 
Of  yonder  grove,  of  wildest,  largest  growth  ; 
That,  forming  high  in  air  a  woodland  choir. 
Nods  o'er  the  mount  beneath.     At  every  step, 
Solemn  and  slow,  the  shadows  blacker  fall, 
And  all  is  awful  listening  gloom  around. 

These  are  the  haunts  of  meditation,  these 
The  scenes  where  ancient  bards  the  inspiring  breatb, 
Ecstatic,  felt ;  and,  from  this  world  retired, 


SUMMED.  8t 

Conversed  with  angels,  and  immortal  forma, 

On  gracious  errands  bent :  to  save  the  fall 

Of  virtue  struggling  on  ihe  brink  of  vice  ; 

In  waking  whispers,  and  repeated  dreams, 

To  hint  pure  thought,  and  warn  the  favored  soul 

For  future  trials  fated  to  prepare  ; 

To  prompt  the  poet,  who  devoted  gives 

Hi?  muse  to  better  themes  ;  to  soothe  the  pangs 

Of  dying  worth,  and  from  the  patriot's  breast 

(Backward  to  mingle  in  detested  war, 

But  foremost  when  engaged)  to  turn  the  death  ; 

And  numberless  such  offices  of  love, 

Daily  and  nightly,  zealous  to  perform. 

Shook  sudden  from  the  bosom  of  the  sky, 
A  thousand  shapes  or  glide  athwart  the  dusk, 
Or  stalk  majestic  on.     Deep-roused,  I  feel 
A  sacred  terror,  a  severe  delight. 
Creep   through    my  mortal   frame  ;    and   thus,   me 

thinks, 
A  voice,  than  human  more,  the  abstracted  ear 
Of  fancy  strikes  :  "  Be  not  of  us  afraid, 
Poor  kindred  man  !  thy  fellow-creatures,  we 
From  the  same  Parent-Power  our  beings  drew  — 
The  same  our  Lord,  and  laws,  and  great  pursuit. 
Once  some  of  us,  like  thee,  through  stormy  life 
Toiled,  tempest-beaten,  ere  we  could  attain 
This  holy  calm,  this  harmony  of  mind. 
Where  purity  and  peace  immingle  charms. 
Then  fear  not  us  ;  but  with  responsive  song, 
Amid  these  dim  recesses,  undisturbed 
By  noisy  folly  and  discordant  vice, 
Of  Nature  sing  with  us,  and  Nature's  God. 
Here  frequent,  at  the  visionary  hour. 
When  musing  midniglit  reigns  or  silent  noon, 
Angelic  harps  are  in  full  concert  heard, 
And  voices  chanting  from  the  wood-crowned  hill. 
The  deei»ening  dale,  or  inmost  sylvan  glade  ; 
A  privilege  Ix-stowed  by  us,  alone, 
On  contenij»lation,  or  the  hallowed  ear 
Of  poet,  swelling  to  seraphic  strain." 


M  SUMMEIt. 

Art  thou,  Stanley,*  of  that  sacred  band  ? 
A-las,  for  us  too  soon  !  —  Though  raised  above 
The  reach  of  human  pain,  above  the  flight 
Of  human  joy,  yet,  with  a  mingled  ray 
Of  sadly  pleased  remembrance,  must  tliou  feel 
A  mother's  love,  a  mother's  tender  woe  ; 
Who  seeks  thee  still  in  many  a  former  scene, 
Seeks  thy  fair  form,  thy  lovely  beaming  eyes. 
Thy  pleasing  converse,  by  gay  lively  sense 
Inspired  —  where  mortal  wisdom  mildly  shone 
Without  the  toil  of  art,  and  virtue  glowed 
In  all  her  smiles,  without  forbidding  pride. 
But,  O  thou  best  of  parents  !  wipe  thy  tears  ; 
Or  rather  to  Parental  Nature  pay 
The  tears  of  grateful  joy  —  who  for  a  while 
Lent  thee  this  younger  self,  this  opening  bloom 
Of  thy  enlightened  mind  and  gentle  worth. 
Believe  the  muse  :  the  wintry  blast  of  death 
Kills  not  the  buds  of  virtue  ;  no,  they  spread 
Beneath  the  heavenly  beam  of  brighter  suns, 
Through  endless  ages,  into  higher  powers. 

Thus  up  the  mount,  in  airy  vision  rapt, 
I  stray,  regardless  whither  ;  till  the  sound 
Of  a  near  fall  of  water  every  sense 
Wakes  from  the  charm  of  thought :  swift-shrinking 

back, 
I  check  my  steps,  and  view  the  broken  scene. 
Smooth  to  the  shelving  brink  a  copious  flood 
Rolls  fair,  and  placid  ;  where  collected  all. 
In  one  im})etuou8  torrent,  down  the  steeji 
It  thundering  shoots,  and  shakes  the  country  round. 
At  first,  an  azure  sheet,  it  rushes  broad  ; 
Then  whitening  by  degrees  as  prone  it  falls, 
And  from  the  loud-resounding  rocks  below 
Dashed  in  a  cloud  of  foam,  it  sends  aloft 
A  hoary  mist,  and  forms  a  ceaseless  sliower. 
Nor  can  the  tortured  wave  here  find  rejiose  : 
But,  raging  still  amid  the  shaggy  rocks, 

♦  A  young  lady,   well  known  to  the  author,  who  died  at  thf 
8^e  of  eichtecn.  in  the  year  1730. 


SUMMliR.  S» 

;  .  >v  flashes  o'er  the  scattered  fragments,  now 
VsUint,  the  hollowed  channel  rapid  darts  ; 
And  falling  fast  from  gradual  slope  to  slope, 
With  wild  infracted  course,  and  lessened  roar. 
It  gains  a  safer  bed,  and  steals,  at  last, 
Along  the  mazes  of  the  quiet  vale. 

Invited  from  the  cliff,  to  whose  dark  brow 
lie  clings,  the  steep-ascending  eagle  soars. 
With  upward  pinions,  through  the  flood  of  day  ; 
And,  giving  full  his  bosom  to  the  blaze. 
Gains  on  the  sun  ;  while  all  the  tuneful  race, 
Smit  by  afflictive  noon,  disordered  droop, 
Deep  in  the  thicket  ;  or,  from  bower  to  bower 
Responsive,  force  an  interrupted  strain. 
The  stockdove  only  through  the  forest  coos. 
Mournfully  hoarse  ;  oft  ceasing  from  his  plaint, 
Short  interval  of  weary  Avoe  !  again 
The  sad  idea  of  his  murdered  mate, 
Struck  from  his  side  by  savage  fowler's  guile, 
Across  his  fancy  comes  ;  and  then  resounds 
A  louder  song  of  sorrow  through  the  grove. 

Beside  the  dewy  border  let  me  sit, 
All  in  the  freshness  of  the  humid  air  : 
There  on  that  hollowed  rock,  grotesque  and  wild. 
An  ample  chair  moss-lined,  and  over  head 
By  flowering  umbrage  shaded  ;  where  the  bee 
Strays  diligent,  and  with  tlie  extracted  balm 
Of  fragrant  woodbine  loads  his  little  thigh. 

Now  while  I  taste  the  sweetness  of  the  shade, 
While  Nature  lies  around  deep  lulled  in  noon. 
Now  come,  bold  fancy,  s}>reaa  a  daring  flight, 
And  view  the  wond(M•^s  of  the  torrid  zone  — 
Climes  unrelenting  !   with  whose  rage  compared. 
Yon  blaze  iw  feeble,  and  yon  skies  are  cool. 

See,  how  at  once  the  bright-effulgent  sun, 
Rising  dir(;ct,  swift  chases  from  the  sky 
The  short-lived  twilight  ;  and  with  ardent  blaze 
Looks  gayly  fierce  throiigli  all  tlu'  dazzling  air  : 
He  mounts  his  thrones  ;   but  kind  before  him  sendn, 
Issuing  from  out  the  portals  of  the  morn, 


M  SUMMER, 

The  general  breeze,*  to  mitigate  his  fire, 
And  oreathe  refreshment  on  a  fainting  world. 
Great  are  the  scenes,  with  dreadful  beauty  crown 

ed, 
And  barbarous  wealth,  that  see,  each  circling  year, 
Returning  suns  and  double  seasons  f  pass  : 
)locks  rich  in  gems,  and  mountains  big  with  mines, 
That  on  the  high  equator  ridgy  rise. 
Whence  many  a  bursting  stream  auriferous  plays  ; 
Majestic  woods  of  every  vigorous  green. 
Stage  above  stage,  high  waving  o'er  the  hills, 
Or  to  the  far  horizon  wide  diffused, 
A  boundless  deep  immensity  of  shade. 
Here  lofty  trees,  to  ancient  song  unknown, 
The  noble  sons  of  potent  heat  and  floods 
Prone-rushing  from  the  clouds,  rear  high  to  heaven 
Their  thorny  stems,  and  broad  aix)und  them  throw 
Meridian  gloom.     Here,  in  eternal  prime, 
Unnumbered  fruits  of  keen  delicious  taste 
And  vital  spirit,  drink  amid  the  cliffs. 
And  burning  sands  that  bank  the  shrubby  vales. 
Redoubled  day  ;  yet  in  their  rugged  coats 
A  friendly  juice  to  cool  its  rage  contain. 

Bear  me,  Pomona  !  to  thy  citron  groves  ; 
To  where  the  lemon  and  the  piercing  lime. 
With  the  deep  orange,  glowing  through  the  green, 
Their  lighter  glories  blend.     Lay  me  reclined 
Beneath  the  spreading  tamarind,  that  shakes, 
Fanned  by  the  breeze,  its  fever-cooling  fruit. 
Deep  in  the  night  the  massy  locust  sheds, 
Quench  my  hot  limbs  ;  or  lead  me  through  the  maze, 
Embowering  endless,  of  the  Indian  fig  ; 
Or  thrown  at  gayer  ease,  on  some  fair  brow, 

*  Whicl)  blows  constantly  between  the  tropics  from  the  east, 
or  the  collateral  points,  the  north-east  and  south-east  :  caused 
by  the  pressure  of  the  rarefied  air  on  that  before  it,  according 
to  the  diurnal  motion  of  the  sun  from  east  to  west. 

f  In  all  climates  between  the  tropics,  the  sun,  as  he  passes 
and  repasses  in  his  annual  motion,  is  twice  a  year  vertical, 
which  produces  this  effect. 


SUMMER.  8 

Let  me  beheld,  by  breezy  murmurs  cooled, 
Broad  o'er  ray  head  the  verdant  cedar  wave, 
And  high  palmettos  lift  their  graceful  shade. 
Oh  !  stretched  amid  these  orchards  of  the  sun. 
Give  me  to  drain  tlie  cocoa's  milky  bowl, 
And  from  the  palm  to  draw  its  freshening  wine  ; 
More  bounteous  far  than  all  the  frantic  juice 
Which  Bacchus  pours.     Nor,  on  its  slender  twigs 
Low-bending,  be  the  full  pomegranate  scorned  ; 
Nor,  creeping  through  the  woods,  the  gelid  race 
Of  berries.     Oft  in  humble  station  dwells 
Unboastful  worth,  above  fastidious  pomp. 
Witness,  thou  best  ananas,  thou  the  pride 
Of  vegetable  life,  beyond  whate'er 
The  poet  imaged  in  the  golden  age  : 
Quick  let  me  strip  thee  of  thy  tufty  coat. 
Spread  thy  ambrosial  stores,  and  feast  with  Jove  ! 

From  these  the  prospect  varies.     Plains  immense 
Lie  stretched  below,  interminable  meads. 
And  vast  savannas,  where  th(i  Avandering  eye, 
Unfixed,  is  in  a  verdant  ocean  lost. 
Another  Flora  there,  of  bolder  hues 
And  richer  sweets,  beyond  our  garden's  pride, 
Plays  o'er  the  fields,  and  showers  with  sudden  hand 
Exuberant  Spring  :  for  oft  these  valleys  shift 
Their  green  embroiclered  robe  to  fiery  brown. 
And  swift  to  green  again,  as  scorching  suns. 
Or  streaming  dews  aiid  torrent  rains,  y)revail. 
Along  these  lonely  regions,  where,  retired 
From  little  scenes  of  art,  great  Nature  dwells 
In  awful  solitude,  and   naught  is  seen 
But  the  wild  herds  that  own  no  master's  stall, 
Prodigious  rivers  roll  their  fattening  seas  ; 
On  whose  luxuriant  herbage,  half-concealed, 
Ijike  a  fallen  cedar,  far  difftised  his  train, 
C'ased  in  green  scales,  the  crocodile  extends. 
The  flood  disparts  :  Ix'hold  !  in  plaited  mail, 
Behemoth*  rears  his  head.     Glanced  from  his  side, 


The  Jiippopotamus,  or  river-horse. 


58  SUMMER. 

The  darted  steel  in  idle  shivers  flies  : 
He  fearless  walks  the  plain,  or  seeks  the  hills  ; 
Where,  as  he  crops  his  varied  fare,  the  herds, 
In  widening  circle  round,  forget  their  food, 
And  at  the  harmless  stranger  wondering  gaze. 

Peaceful,  beneath  primeval  trees  that  cast 
Their  ample  shade  o'er  Niger's  yellow  stream, 
And  where  the  Ganges  rolls  his  sacred  wave, 
Or  'mid  the  central  depth  of  blackening  woods 
High-raised  in  solemn  theater  around. 
Leans  the  huge  elephant ;  wisest  of  brutes  ! 
O  truly  wise  I  with  gentle  might  endowed. 
Though  powerful,  not  destructive.     Here  he  sees 
Revolving  ages  sweep  the  changeful  earth. 
And  empires  rise  and  fall  ;  i-egardless  he 
Of  what  the  never-resting  race  of  men 
Project  :  thrice  happy  !  could  he  'scape  their  guile, 
Who  mine,  from  cruel  avarice,  his  steps  ; 
Or  with  the  towery  grandeur  swell  their  state. 
The  pride  of  kings  !  or  else  his  strength  pervert, 
And  bid  him  rage  amid  the  mortal  fray. 
Astonished  at  the  madness  of  mankind. 

Wide  o'er  the  winding  umbrage  of  the  floods, 
Like  vivid  blossoms  glowing  from  afar, 
Thick-swarm  the  brighter  birds.     For  Nature's  hand, 
That  with  a  sportive  vanity  has  decked 
The  plumy  nations,  there  her  gayest  hues 
Profusely  pours.     But,  if  she  bids  them  shine. 
Arrayed  in  all  the  beauteous  beams  of  day. 
Yet  frugal  still,  she  humbles  them  in  song.* 
Nor  envy  we  the  gaudy  robes  they  lent 
Proud  Montezuma's  realm,  whose  legions  cast 
A  boundless  radiance  waving  on  the  sun, 
While  Philomel  is  ours  ;  while  in  our  shades, 
Through  the  soft  silence  of  the  listening  night. 
The  sober-suited  songstress  trills  her  lay. 

*In  all  the  regions  of  tlie  torrid  zone,  the  birds,  though  more 
beautiful  in  their  plumage,  are  observed  to  be  lees  raelodioiia 
than  ours 


SUMMER.  Sk 

But  come,  my  muse,  the  desert-barrier  burst, 
A  wild  expanse  of  lifeless  sand  and  sky  ; 
And,  swifter  than  the  toiling  caravan, 
Shoot  o'er  the  vale  of  Sennaar,  ardent  climb 
The  Nubian  mountains,  and  the  secret  bounds 
Of  jealous  Abyssinia  boldly  pierce. 
Thou  art  no  ruffian,  who  beneath  the  mask 
Of  social  commerce  comest  to  rob  their  wealth  ; 
No  holy  fury  thou,  blaspheming  heaven, 
With  consecrated  steel  to  stab  their  peace. 
And  through  the  land,  yet  red  from  civil  wounds 
To  spread  the  purple  tyranny  of  Rome. 
Thou,  like  the  harmless  bee,  mayst  freely  range 
From  mead  to  mead  bright  with  exalted  flowers, 
From  jasmine  grove  to  grove  ;  mayst  wander  gay. 
Through  palmy  shades    nd  aromatic  w'oods. 
That  grace  the  plains,  invest  the  peopled  hills. 
And  up  the  more  than  Alpi  le  mountains  wave. 
There  on  the  breezy  summit,  spreading  fair 
For  many  a  league  ;  or  on  stupendous  rocks, 
That  from  the  sun-redoubling  valley  lift, 
Cool  to  the  middle  air,  their  lawny  tops  ; 
Where  palaces,  and  fanes,  and  villas  rise  ; 
And  gardens  smile  around,  and  cultured  fields  ; 
And  fountains  gush  ;    and  careless  herds  and  flocks 
Securely  stray  ;  a  world  wathin  itself. 
Disdaining  all  assault  :  there  let  me  draw 
Ethereal  soul,  there  drink  reviving  gales. 
Profusely  breathing  from  the  spicy  groves, 
Ami  vales  of  fragrance  ;  there  at  distance  hear 
Tiie  roaring  fl<K)ds,  and  cataracts,  that  sweep 
From  dis(imbowel(;(i  earth  the  virgin  gold  ; 
And  o'er  the  varied  Ian(l.scaj)e,  restless,  rove, 
Fervent  with  life  of  every  fairer  kind. 
A  l;ind  of  wonders  !   which   the  sun  still  eyes 
Willi  ray  direct,  as  of  the  lovely  realm 
KiiiunoriHl,  and  delighting  there  to  dwell 

ifinv  changed  the  scene  !   In  blazing  height  of  noon 
Tlif  sun,  oppressed,  is  plunged  in  thickest  gloom  ; 
Slill  horror  reigns,  a  dreary   twilight  round, 


60  ^UMMEH. 

Of  strnggling  night  and  day  malignant  mixed. 
For  to  the  hot  equator  crowding  fast, 
Where,  highly  rarefied,  the  yielding  air 
Admits  their  stream,  incessant  vapors  roll, 
Amazing  clouds  on  clouds  continual  heaped  ; 
Or  whirled  tempestuous  by  the  gusty  wind, 
Or  silent  borne  along,  heavy  and  slow, 
With  the  big  stores  of  steaming  oceans  charged. 
Meantime,  amid  these  up()er  seas,  condensed 
Around  the  cold  aerial  mountain's  brow 
And  by  conflicting  winds  together  dashed. 
The  thunder  holds  his  black  tremendous  throne  ; 
From  cloud  to  cloud  the  rending  lightnings  rage  ; 
Till,  in  the  furious  elemental  war 
Dissolved,  the  whole  precipitated  mass 
Unbroken  floods  and  solid  torrents  pour. 

The  treasures  these,  hid  from  the  bounded  search 
Of  ancient  knowledge  ;  whence,  with  annual  pomp, 
Rich  king  of  floods  !  o'erflows  the  swelling  Nile. 
From  his  two  springs,  in  Gojam's  sunny  realm, 
Pure-welling  out,  he  through  the  lucid  lake 
Of  fair  Dambea  rolls  his  infant  stream. 
There,  by  the  Naiads  nursed,  he  spoils  away 
His  playful  youth,  amid  the  fragrant  isles 
That  with  unfading  verdure  smile  around. 
Ambitious,  thence  the  manly  river  breaks  ; 
And  gathering  many  a  flood,  and  copious  fed 
With  all  the  mellowed  treasures  of  the  sky, 
Winds  in  progressive  majesty  along  : 
Through  splendid  kingdoms  now  devolves  his  maze ; 
Now  wanders  wild  o'er  solitary  tracts 
Now  life-deserted  sand  ;  (ill,  glad  to  quit 
The  joyless  desert,  down  the  Nubian  rocks. 
From  thundering  steep  to  steep,  he  pours  his  urn, 
And  Fgypt  joys  beneath  the  spreading  wave. 

His  brother  Niger  too,  and  all  the  floods 
In  which  the  full-formed  maids  of  Afric  lave 
Their  jetty  limbs  ;  and  all  that  from  the  tract 
Of  woody  mountains  stretched  through  gorgeous  Ind 
Fall  on  Corraandel's  coast,  or  Malabar  \ 


SUMMEM,  t\ 

FromMenam^s  *  orient  stream,  that  nightly  shines 
With  insect-^amps,  to  where  Aurora  sheds 
On  Indus'  smiling  banks  the  rosy  shower  ; 
All,  at  this  bounteous  season,  ope  their  urns, 
And  pour  untoiling  harvest  o'er  the  land. 

Nor  less  thy  world,  Columbus,  drinks,  refreshed 
The  lavish  moisture  of  the  melting  year. 
Wide  o'er  his  isles,  the  branching  Orinoque 
Rolls  a  brown  deluge  ;  and  the  native  drives 
To  dw'll  aloft  on  life-sufficing  trees  — 
At  once  his  dome,  his  robe,  his  food,  and  arms. 
Swelled  by  a  thousand  streams,  impetuous  hurled 
From  all  the  roaring  Andes,  huge  descends 
The  mighty  Orellana.f     Scarce  the  Muse 
Dares  stretch  her  wing  n'er  'his  enormous  mass 
Of  rushing  water  ;  scarce  she  dares  attempt 
The  sea-like  Plata  ;  to  whose  dread  expanse. 
Continuous  depth,  and  wondrous  length  of  courie, 
Our  floods  are  rills.     With  unabated  for-„e, 
In  silent  dignity  they  sweep  along  ; 
And  traverse  realms  unknown,  and  blooming  wi^e 
And  fruitful  deserts  —  worlds  of  solitude, 
Where  the  sun  smiles  and  Seasons  teem  in  vain. 
Unseen  and  unenjoyed.     Forsaking  these, 
0''^r  people<l  plains  they  fair  diffusive  flow, 
And  many  a  nation  feed,  and  circle  safe. 
In  their  soft  bosom,  many  a  lia})py  isle  ; 
The  soat  of  blameless  Pan,  yet  undisturbed 
By  Christian  crimes  and   Euro])e's  ciuel  sons. 
Thus  pouring  on  they  ])roudlv  seek  the  deep, 
Whose  vanquished  tide,  recoiling  from  the  shock. 
Yields  to  the  liquid  weight  of  half  the  glo]>e  ; 
And  o(;eans  trembles  for  his  green  domiiin. 

lint  what  avails  this  wondrous  waste  of  wealth, 
This  gay  profusion  of  luxurious  bliss, 


*  Tho  riv-T  tliul  runs  tliroii^^li  Siain  ;  on  wiiosi'  hunks  a  vust 
multitiidf  ot  tlioHc  insects  called  fire-flies  make  a  beau^'Cy' 
appeuiance  in  Ih';  iiiglil. 

♦  The  river  of  tlie  Amazona. 


9»  SUMMER, 

This  pomp  of  Nature  ?  what  their  balmy  meads, 
Their  powerful  herbs,  and  Ceres  void  of  pain  ? 
By  vagrant  birds  dispersed,  and  wafting  winds. 
What  their  unplanted  fruits  ?  what  the  cool  drafts 
The  ambrosial  food,  rich  gums,  and  spicy  health, 
Their  forests  yield  ?  their  toiling  insects  what. 
Their  silky  pride,  and  vegetable  robes? 
Ah  ,'  what  avail  their  fatal  treasures,  hid 
Deep  in  the  bowels  of  the  pitying  earth, 
Golconda's  gems,  and  sad  Potosi's  mines  ? 
Where  dwelt  the  gentlest  children  of  the  sun  I 
What  all  that  Afric's  golden  rivers  roll. 
Her  odorous  woods,  and  shining  ivory  stores? 
Ill-fated  race  !  the  softening  arts  of  peace. 
Whate'erthe  humanizing  muses  teach  ; 
The  godlike  wisdom  of  the  tempered  breast ; 
Progressive  truth,  the  })atient  force  of  thought  ; 
Investigation  calm,  whose  silent  powers 
Command  the  world  ;  the  light  that  leads  to  heaven 
Kind  equal  rule,  the  government  of  laws, 
And  ail-protecting  freedom,  which  alone 
Sustains  the  name  and  dignity  of  man  : 
These  are  not  theirs.     The  parent-sun  himself 
Seems  o'er  this  world  of  slaves  to  tyrannize  ; 
And  with  oppressive  ray,  the  roseate  bloom 
Of  beauty  blasting,  gives  the  gloomy  hue, 
And  feature  gross  ;  or  worse,  to  ruthless  deeds,. 
Mad  jealousy,  blind  rage,  and  fell  revenge, 
Their  fervid  spirit  fires.     Love  dwells  not  there  r 
The  soft  regards,  the  tenderness  of  life. 
The  heart-shed  tear,  the  ineffable  delight 
Of  sweet  humanity  :  these  court  the  })eam 
Of  milder  climes  ;  in  selfish  fierce  desire, 
And  the  wild  fury  of  voluj)tuous  sense, 
There  lost.     The  very  brute  creation  there 
This  rage  partakes,  and  burns  with  horrid  fire. 
Lo  !  the  green  serpent,  from  his  dark  abode 
Which  even  imagination  fears  to  tread, 
At  noon  forth-issuing,  gathers  up  his  tram 
In  orbs  immense,  then,  darting  out  anew, 


Seeks  the  refreshing  fount,  by  which  diffused, 

He  throws  his  folds  ;  and    while,  with    threateninic 

tongue 
And  deathf ul  jaws  erect,  the  monster  curls 
His  flaming  crest,  all  other  thirst  appalled, 
Or  shivering  flies,  or  checked  at  distance  stands. 
Nor  dares  approach.     But  still  more  direful  he, 
The  small  close-lurking  minister  of  fate. 
Whose  high-concocted  venom  through  the  veins 
A  rapid  lightning  darts,  arresting  swift 
The  vital  current.     Formed  to  humble  man. 
This  child  of  vengeful  Nature  !  There,  sublimed 
To  fearless  lust  of  blood,  the  savage  race 
Roam,  licensed  by  the  shading  hour  of  guilt. 
And  foul  misdeed,  when  the  pure  day  has  shut 
His  sacred  eye.     The  tiger,  darting  fierce. 
Impetuous  on  the  prey  his  glance  has  doomed  ; 
The  lively-shining  leopard,  speckled  o'er 
With  many  a  spot,  the  beauty  of  the  waste  ; 
And,  scorning  all  fhe  taming  arts  of  man, 
The  keen  hyena,  fellest  of  the  fell  : 
Those,  rushing  from  the  inhospitable  woods 
Of  Mauritania,  or  the  tufted  isles. 
That  verdant  rise  amid  the  Libyan  wild, 
Innumerous  glare  around  tlieir  shaggy  king. 
Majestic,  stalking  o'er  the  printed  sand  ; 
And,  with  imperious  and  repeated  roars, 
Demand  their  fated  food.     The  fearful  flocks 
Crowd  near  the  guardian  swain  ;  the  nobler  herdi 
Where  round  their  lordly  bull,  in  rural  ease, 
They  ruminating  lie,  with  horror  hear 
The  coming  rage.     '^I'lu;  awakened  village  starts  ; 
And  to  her  fluttering  breast  the  mother  strains 
Her  tiioughtlcss  infant.     From  the  pirate's  den, 
(Jr  slern  Morocco's  tyrant  fang,  escajjed. 
The  wrclcli  hair-wishcs  for  his  bonds  again; 
While,  uproar  all,  the  wildernL'ss  resounds. 
From  Atlas  eastward  to  the  frighted  Nile. 
Unhaj){)y  he  !    who  from  tin;  first  of  joys, 
Society,  cut  off,  is  left  ah/uu 

-A 


64  SUMMkR. 

Amid  this  world  of  death.     Day  after  day, 

Sad  on  the  jutting  eminence  he  sits, 

And  views  the  main  that  ever  toils  below  ; 

Still  fondly  forming  in  the  furthest  verge, 

Where  the  round  ether  mixes  with  the  wave, 

Ships,  dim-discovered,  dropping  from  the  cloud* 

At  evening,  to  the  setting  sun  he  turns 

A  mournful  eye,  and  down  his  dying  heart 

Sinks  helpless  ;  while  the  wonted  roar  is  up, 

And  hiss  continual  through  the  tedious  night. 

Yet  here,  even  here,  into  these  black  abodes 

Of  monsters,  unappalled,  from  stooping  Rome, 

And  guilty  Caesar,  Liberty  retired. 

Her  Cato  following  through  Numidian  wilds  ; 

Disdainful  of  Campania's  gentle  plains. 

And  all  the  green  delights  Ausonia  pours  — 

When  for  them  she  must  bend  the  servile  knee, 

And  fawning  take  the  splendid  robber's  boon. 

Nor  stop  the  terrors  of  those  regions  here, 
Commissioned  demons  oft,  angels  of  wrath. 
Let  loose  the  raging  elements.     Breathed  hot 
From  all  the  boundless  furnace  of  the  sky, 
And  the  wide  glittering  waste  of  burning  sand, 
A  suffocating  wind  the  pilgrim  smites 
With  instant  death.     Patient  of  thirst  and  toil. 
Son  of  the  desert  !  even  the  camel  feels. 
Shot  through  his  withered  heart,  the  fiery  blast. 
Or  from  the  black-red  etlxr,  bursting  broad. 
Sallies  the  sudden  whirlwind.     Straight  the  sande 
Commoved  around,  in  gathering  eddies  play  ; 
Nearer  and  nearer  still  they  darkening  come  ; 
Till,  with  the  general  all-involving  storm 
Swept  up,  the  whole  continuous  wilds  arise  ; 
And  by  their  noonday  fount  dejected  thrown. 
Or  sunk  at  night  in  sad  disastrous  sleep. 
Beneath  descending  hills,  the  cai'avan 
Is  buried  deep.     In  Cairo's  crowded  streets 
The  impatient  merchant,  wondering,  waits  in  vaitt 
And  Me(!ca  saddens  at  the  long  delay. 

But  chief  at  sea,  whose  every  flexible  way* 


SUMMER,  ift 

Obeys  the  blast,  the  aerial  tumult  swella. 

lu  the  dread  ocean,  undulating  wide, 

Beneath  the  radiant  line  that  girts  the  globe. 

The  circling  Typhon,*  whirled  from  point  to  point. 

Exhausting  all  the  rage  of  all  the  sky 

And  the  dire  Ecnephia,*  reign.     Amid  the  heavens, 

Falsely  serene,  deep  in  a  cloudy  f  speck 

Compressed,  the  mighty  tempest  brooding  dwells  : 

Of  no  regard,  save  to  the  skillful  eye, 

Fiery  and  foul,  the  small  prognostic  hangs 

Aloft,  or  on  promontory's  brow 

Musters  its  force.     A  faint  deceitful  calm, 

A  fluttering  gale,  the  demon  sends  before. 

To  tempt  the  spreading  sail.     Then  down  at  ono«^ 

Precipitant,  descends  a  mingled  mass 

Of  roaring  winds,  and  flame,  and  rushing  floods. 

In  wild  amazement  fixed  the  sailor  stands. 

Art  is  too  slow.     By  rapid  fate  oppressed. 

His  broad- winged  vessel  drinks  the  whelming  tide, 

Hid  in  the  bosom  of  the  black  abyss. 

With  such  mad  seas  the  daring  Gama  fought, 

For  many  a  day,  and  many  a  dreadful  night. 

Incessant,  laboring  round  the  stormy  Cape  ; 

By  bold  ambition  led,  and  bolder  thirst 

Of  gold.     For  tlien,  from  ancient  gloom,  emerged 

The  rising  world  of  trade  :  the  genius,  then, 

Of  navigation,  that  in  hopeless  sloth 

Had  slumbered  on  the  vast  Atlantic  deep 

For  idle  ages,  starting,  heard  at  last 

The  Lusitanian  Prince  ;  who,  heaven-inspired, 

To  love  of  useful  glory  roused  mankind. 

And  in  unbounded  commerce  mixed  the  world. 

Increasing  still  the  tf.rrors  of  these  storms, 
His  jaws  horrific  armed  with  threefold  fate, 
lIi.TC!  dwells  the  direful  shark.     Lured  by  the  scent 
(>f  steaming  crowds,  of  rank  disease,  and  death, 

*'r>l)liou  and  Eciiepliia,  riuiufs  of  particular  .storms  or 
hurricanes,  kuown  only  between  tlie  tropics. 

f  ("ailed  hy  Bailors  the  Ox  eye,  being  iu  uppearauce  at  first  no 
biggei. 

6 


((6  SUMMER. 

Behold  !  he  rushing  cuts  the  briny  flood, 
Swift  as  the  gale  can  bear  the  ship  along  ; 
And  from  the  partners  of  that  cruel  trade, 
Which  spoils  unhappy  Guinea  of  her  sons, 
Demands  his  share  of  prey  —  demands  themselves. 
The  stormy  fates  descend  :  one  death  involves 
Tyrants  and    slaves  ;  when    straight,  their  mangled 

limbs 
Crashing  at  once,  he  dyes  the  purple  seas 
With  gore,  and  riots  in  the  vengeful  meal. 

When  o'er  this  world,  by  equinoctial  rains 
Flooded  immense,  looks  out  the  joyless  sun, 
And  draws  the  copious  steam  ;  from  swampy  fens, 
Where  putrefaction  into  life  ferments, 
And  b'-eathes  destructive  myriads  ;  or  from  woods. 
Impenetrable  shades,  recesses  foul, 
In  vapors  rank  And  blue  corruption  wrapt, 
Whose  gloomy  horrors  yet  no  desperate  foot 
Has  ever  daix-d  to  pierce  —  then,  wasteful,  forth 
Walks  the  dire  power  of  nestiient  disease. 
A  thousand  hideous  fiends  her  course  attend, 
Sick  nature  blasting,  and  to  heartless  woe, 
And  feeble  desolation,  casting  down 
The  towering  hopes  and  all  the  oride  of  man. 
Such  as,  of  late,  Carthagena  quencned 
The  British  fire.     You,  gallant  Vernon,  saw 
The  miserable  scene  ;  you,  pitying,  saw 
To  infant-weakness  sunk  the  warrior's  arm  : 
Saw  the  deep-racking  pang,  the  ghastly  form. 
The  lip  pale-quivering,  and  the  beaniless  eye 
No  more  with  ardor  bright  ;  you  heard  the  groau* 
Of  agonizing  sliips,  frv)m  shui-e  to  shore  ; 
Heard,  niglitly  plunged  amid  tlie  sullen  waves, 
The  frequent  corse  —  while  on  each  other  fixed, 
In  sad  presage,  the  blank  assistants  seemed, 
Silent,  to  ask,  whom  Fate  would  next  demand. 

What  need  I  mention  those  inclement  skies 
Where,  frequent  o'er  the  sickening  city,  plaguev 
The  fiercest  child  of  Nemesis  divine, 
iJescends  ?  From  Ethiopia's  poisoned  woods. 


SUMMER.  VI 

From  stifled  Cairo's  filth,  and  fetid  fields 

With  locust-armieg  putrefying  *  heaped, 

This  great  destroyer  sprung.     Her  awful  rage 

The  brutes  escape      Man  is  her  destined  prey, 

Intemperate  man  !  and  o'er  his  guilty  domcB 

She  draw  a  close  incumbent  cloud  of  death  ; 

Uninterrupted  by  the  living  winds, 

Forbid  to  blow  a  wholesome  breeze  ;  and  stained 

With  many  a  mixture  by  the  sun,  suffused, 

Of  angry  aspect.     Princely  wisdom,  then. 

Dejects  his  watchful  eye  ;  and  from  the  hand 

Of  feeble  justice,  ineffectual,  drop 

The  sword  and  balance  :  mute  the  voice  of  joy, 

And  hushed  the  clamor  of  the  busy  world. 

Empty  the  streets,  with  uncouth  verdure  clad  ; 

Into  the  worst  of  deserts  sudden  turned 

The  cheerful  haunt  of  men  —  unless  escaped 

From  the    doomed    house,    where  matchless   horrof 

reigns. 
Shut  up  by  barbarous  fear,  the  smitten  wretch. 
With  frenzy  wild,  breaks  loose,  and,  loud  to  heaven 
Screaming,  the  dreadful  policy  arraigns, 
Inhuman  and  unwise.     The  sullen  door. 
Yet  uninfected,  on  its  cautious  hinge 
Fearing  to  turn,  abhors  society. 
Dependents,  friends,  relations,  love  himself, 
Savaged  by  woe,  forget  the  tender  tie, 
The  sweet  engagement  of  the  feeling  heart. 
Jiut  vain  their  selfish  care  :  the  circling  sky. 
The  wide  enlivening  air  is  full  of  fate  ; 
And,  struck  by  turns,  in  solitary  pangs 
They  fall,  unblest,  untended,  and  unmourned. 
Thus  o'er  the  prostrate  city  black  despair 
Extends  her  raven  wing  ;  while,  to  complete 
Tiie  scene  of  desolation,  stretched  ;ir(Mind, 
Tnc  grim  guards  stand,  denying  all  retreat. 
And  give  the  Hying  wretch  a  better  death. 

'  'l'h«;s(;  are  llie  Ciiiises  supposed  to  be  llie  first  origin  of  the 
iMiigue,  ill  Dr.  Mead's  eleguui  hook  oo  tliat  subject, 


m  SUMMER. 

Much  yet  remains  unsung  :  the  rage  intense 
Of  brazen-vaulted  skies,  of  iron  fields, 
Where  drought  and  TMinir.e  starve  the  blasted  year 
Fired  by  the  torch  oi  nouJi  to  tenfold  rage, 
The  infuriate  hill  that  shoots  the  pillared  flame  ; 
And,  roused  within  the  subterranean  world. 
The  expanding  earthquake,  that  resistless  shaken 
Aspiring  cities  from  their  solid  base, 
And  buries  mountains  in  the  flaming  gulf. 
But  'tis  enough  ;  return,  my  vagrant  muse  : 
A  nearer  scene  of  horror  calls  thee  home. 

Behold  slow-settling  o'er  the  lurid  grove, 
Unusual  darkness  broods  ;  and  growing  gains 
The  full  possession  of  the  sky,  surcharged 
With  wrathful  vapor,  from  the  secret  beds, 
Where  sleep  the  mineral  generations,  drawn. 
Thence  niter,  sulphur,  and  the  fiery  spume 
Of  fat  bitumen,  steaming  on  the  day. 
With  various  tinctured  trains  of  latent  flame, 
Pollute  the  sky,  and  in  yon  baleful  cloud, 
A  reddening  gloom,  a  magazine  of  fate, 
Ferment  ;  till,  by  the  touch  ethereal  roused. 
The  dash  of  clouds,  or  irritating  war 
Of  fighting  winds,  while  all  is  calm  below, 
They  furious  spring.     A  boding  silence  reigns, 
Dread  through  the  dun  expanse  ;  save  the  dull  sound 
That  from  the  mountain,  previous  to  the  storm. 
Rolls  o'er  the  muttering  earth,  disturbs  the  flood, 
And  shakes  the  forest -leaf  without  a  breath. 
Prone,  to  the  lowest  vale,  the  aerial  tribes 
Descend  :  the  tempest-loving  raven  scarce 
Dares  wing  the  dubious  dusk.     In  rueful  gaze 
The  cattle  stand,  and  on  the  scowling  heavens 
Cast  a  deploring  eye  ;  by  man  forsook, 
Who  to  tlie  crowded  cottage  hies  him  fast, 
Or  seeks  the  shelter  of  the  downward  cave. 

'Tis  listening  fear,  and  dumb  amazement  all  : 
When  to  the  startled  eye  the  sudden  glance 
Appears  far  south,  eruptive  through  the  cloud  ; 
And  following  slower,  in  explosion  vast, 


SUMMER,  68 

The  thunder  raises  his  tremendous  voice. 
At  first,  heard  solemn  o'er  the  verge  of  heaven, 
The  tempest  growls  ;     but  as  it  nearer  comes 
And  rolk  its  awful  burden  on  the  wind, 
The  lightnings  flash  a  larger  curve,  and  more 
The  noise  astounds  —  till  overhead  a  sheet 
Of  livid  flame  discloses  wide,  then  shuts 
And  opens  wider,  shuts  and  opens  still 
Expansive,  wrapping  ether  in  a  blaze. 
Follows  the  loosened  aggravated  roar, 
Enlarging,  deepening,  mingling,  peal  on  peal 
Crushed  horrible,  convulsing  heaven  and  earth. 

Down  comes  a  deluge  of  sonorous  hail. 
Or  prone-descending  rain.     Wide-rent,  the  clouds 
Pour  a  whole  flood  ;  and  yet,  its  flame  unquenched, 
The  unconquerable  lightning  struggles  through. 
Ragged  and  fierce,  or  in  red  whirling  balls. 
And  fires  the  mountains  with  redoubled  rage. 
Black  from  the  stroke,  above,  the  smoldering  pine 
Stands  a  shattered  trunk  ;  and,  stretched  below, 
A  lifeless  group  the  blasted  cattle  lie  : 
Here  the  soft  flocks,  with  that  same  harmless  look 
They  wore  alive,  and  ruminating  still 
In  fancy's  eye  ;  and  there  the  frowning  bull. 
And  ox  half -raised.     Struck  on  the  castled  clifF, 
The  venerable  tower  and  spiry  fane 
Resign  their  aged  pride.     The  gloomy  woods 
Start  at  the  flash,  and  from  their  deep  recess. 
Wide-flaming  out,  their  trembling  inmates  shake. 
Amid  Carnarvon's  mountains  rages  loud 
The  repercussive  roar  ;  with  mighty  crush, 
Into  the  flashing  deep,  from  the  rude  rocks 
Of  Punmaen  Maur  heaped  hideous  to  the  sky, 
Tumble  the  smitten  clifl's  ;  and  Snowdon's  peak, 
Dissolving,  instant  yields  his  wintry  load. 
Fiir-st'en,  the  heights  of  heathy  Cheviot  blaze, 
And  Thule  bellcnvs  thi'ough  her  utmost  isles. 

Cuilt  hears  appalled,  with  deeply  troubled  thought 
AimI  yet  not  always  on  tiie  guilty  head 
Descends  the  fatal  Hush.      Young  Celadon 


70  SUMMER. 

And  his  Amelia  were  a  matchless  pair  ; 

With  equal  virtue  formed,  and  equal  grace, 

The  same,  distinguished  by  their  sex  alone  : 

Hers  the  mild  luster  of  the  blooming  morn. 

And  his  the  radiance  of  the  risen  day. 

They  loved  :  but  such  their  guileless  passion  wai 

As  in  the  dawn  of  time  informed  the  heart 

Of  innocence,  and  undissembling  truth. 

'Twas  friendship  heightened  by  the  mutual  wish^ 

The  enchanting  hope,  and  sympathetic  glow, 

Beamed  from  the  mutual  eye.     Devoting  all 

To  love,  each  was  to  each  a  dearer  self ; 

Supremely  happy  in  the  awakened  power 

Of  giving  joy.     Alone,  amid  the  shades, 

Still  in  harmonious  intercourse  they  lived 

The  rural  day,  and  talked  the  flowing  heart, 

Or  sighed  and  looked  unutterable  things. 

So  passed  their  life,  a  clear  united  stream, 

By  care  unruffled  ;  till,  in  evil  hour, 

The  tempest  caught  them  on  the  tender  walk, 

Heedless  how  far,  and  where  its  mazes  strayed, 

While,  with  eacli  other  blessed,  creative  love 

Still  bade  eternal  Eden  smile  around. 

Heavy  with  instant  fate,  her  bosom  heaved 

Unwonted  sighs,  and  stealing  oft  a  look 

Of  the  big  gloom,  on  Celadon  her  eye 

Fell  tearful,  wetting  her  disordered  cheek. 

In  vain  assured  love,  and  confidence 

In  Heaven,  repressed  her  fear  ;  it  grew,  and  shook 

Her  frame  near  dissolution.     He  perceived 

The  unequal  conflict ;  and,  as  angels  look 

On  dying  saints,  his  eyes  compassion  shed. 

With  love  illumined  high.     "Fear  not,"  he  said, 

"  Sweet  innocence  I  thou  stranger  to  offense. 

And  inward  storm  !     He  who  yon  skies  involves 

In  frowns  of  darkness,  ever  smiles  on  thee 

With  kind  regard.     O'er  thee  the  secret  shaft 

That  wastes  at  midnight,  or  the  undreaded  hour 

Of  noon,  flies  harmless  ;  and  that  very  voice 

Which  thunders  terror  through  the  guilty  heart, 


SUMMER.  71 

With  tongues  of  seraphs  whispers  peace  to  thine. 
'Tis  safety  to  be  near  thee  sure,  and  thus 
To  clasp  perfection  '  "     From  his  void  embrace, 
Mysterious  Heaven  '  that  moment,  to  the  ground, 
A  blackened  corse,    was  struck  the  beauteous  maid 
But  who  can  paint  the  lover,  as  he  stood, 
Pierced  by  severe  amazement,  hating  life. 
Speechless,  and  fixed  in  all  the  death  of  woe  ! 
So,  faint  resemblance,  on  the  marble  tomb 
The  well-dissembled  mourner  stooping  stands, 
Forever  silent,  and  forever  sad. 

As  from  the  face  of  heaven  the  shattered  clouds 
Tumultuous  rove,  the  interminable  sky 
Sublimer  swells,  and  o'er  the  world  expands 
A  purer  azure.     Nature,  from  the  storm, 
Shmes  out  afresh  ;  and  through  the  lightened  air 
A  higher  luster  and  a  clearer  calm. 
Diffusive,  tremble  ;  while,  as  if  in  sign 
Of  danger  past,  a  glittering  robe  of  joy. 
Set  off  abundant  by  the  yellow  ray, 
Invests  the  fields,  yet  dropping  from  distress. 

'Tis  beauty  all,  and  grateful  song  around. 
Joined  to  the  low  of  kine,  and  numerous  bleat 
Of  flocks  thick-nibbling  through  the  clover  vale. 
And  shall  the  hymn  be  marred  by  thankless  man, 
Most-favored  ;  who  with  voice  articulate 
Should  lead  the  chorus  of  this  lower  world? 
Shall  he,  so  soon  forgetful  of  the  hand 
That  hushed  the  thunder,  and  serenes  the  sky. 
Extinguished  feel  that  spark  the  tempest  waked, 
That  sense  of  powers  exceeding  far  his  own. 
Ere  yet  his  feeble  heart  has  lost  its  fears  ? 

Cheered  by  the  milder  beam,  the  sprightly  youth 
Speeds  to  the  well-known  j)ooI,  whos(^  crystal  depth 
A  sandy  bottom  slujws.     Awhile  he  stands 
Gazing  the  inverted  landscape,  half  afraid 
To  meditate  the  blue  j)rofound  below  ; 
Then  plunges  headhjng  down  the  circling  flood. 
His  ebon  tresses  and  his  rosy  cheek 
Instant  emerge  ;  and  through  the  obedient  wave, 


78  SUMMER, 

At.  each  short  breathing  by  his  lip  repelled, 
With  arms  and  legs  according  well,  lie  makes, 
As  humor  leads,  an  easy-winding  path  ; 
While,  from  his  polished  sides,  a  dewy  light 
Effuses  on  the  pleased  spectators  round. 

This  is  the  purest  exercise  of  health, 
The  kind  refresher  of  the  summer  heats  ; 
Nor,  when  cold  Winter  keens  the  brightening  flood; 
Would  I  weak-shivering  linger  on  the  brink. 
Thus  life  redoubles  ;  and  is  oft  preserved. 
By  the  bold  swimmer,  in  the  swift  illapse 
Of  accident  disastrous.     Hence  the  limbs 
Knit  into  force  ;  and  the  same  Roman  arm 
That  rose  victorious  o'er  the  conquered  earth, 
First  learned,  while  tender,  to  subdue  the  wave. 
Even,  from  the  body's  purity,  the  mind 
Receives  a  secret  sympathetic  aid. 

Close  in  the  covert  of  an  hazel  copse, 
Where  winded  into  pleasing  solitudes 
Runs  out  the  rambling  dale,  young  Damon  sat  ; 
Pensive,  and  pierced  M-ith  love's  delightful  pangs. 
There  to  the  stream  that  down  the  distant  rocks 
Hoarse-murmuring    fell,    and    plaintive    breeze  that 

played 
Among  the  bending  willows,  falsely  he 
Of  Musidora's  cruelty  complained. 
She  felt  his  flame  ;  but  deep  within  her  breast, 
In  bashful  coyness,  or  in  maiden  pride, 
The  soft  return  concealed  —  save  when  it  stole 
In  sidelong  glances  from  her  downcast  eye. 
Or  from  her  swelling  soul  in  stifled  sighs. 
Touched  by  the  scene,  no  stranger  to  his  vows. 
He  framed  a  melting  lay,  to  try  her  heart  ; 
And,  if  an  infant  passion  struggled  there, 
To  call  that  passion  forth.     Thrice  happy  swain  1 
A  lucky  chance,  that  oft  decides  the  fate 
Of  mighty  monarchs,  then  decided  thine. 
For,  lo  !  conducted  by  the  laughing  loves, 
This  cool  retreat  his  Musidora  sought  : 
Warm  in  her  cheek  the  sultry  season  glowed  ; 


SUMMER.  73 

And,  robed  in  loose  array,  she  came  to  bathe 

Her  fervent  limbs  in  the  refreshing  stream. 

What  shall  he  do  ?  In  sweet  confusion  lost, 

And  dubious  flutterings,  he  awhile  remained. 

A  pure  ingenuous  elegance  of  soul, 

A  delicate  refinement  known  to  few. 

Perplexed  his  breast,  and  urged  him  to  retire  : 

But  love  forbade.     Ye  prudes  in  virtue,  say, 

Say,  ye  severest,  what  would  you  have  done  ? 

Meantime,  this  fairer  nymph  than  ever  blest 

Arcadian  stream,  with  timid  eye  around 

The  banks  surveying,  stripped  her  beauteous  limba, 

To  taste  the  lucid  coolness  of  the  flood. 

All  !  then,  not  Paris  on  the  piny  top 

Of  Ida  panted  stronger,  when  aside 

The  rival  goddesses  the  veil  divine 

Cast  unconfinc'd,  and  gave  him  all  their  charms, 

Than,  Damon,  thou  ;  as  from  the  snowy  leg. 

And  slender  foot,  the  inverted  silk  she  drew  ; 

As  the  soft  touch  dissolved  the  virgin  zone  ; 

And,  through  the  parting  robe,  the  alternate  breast 

With  youth  wild-throbbing,  on  thy  lawless  gaze 

In  full  luxuriance  rose.     But,  desperate  youth, 

How  durst  thou  risk  the  soul  distracting  view. 

As  from  her  naked  limbs,  of  glowing  white. 

Harmonious  swelled  by  Nature's  finest  hand. 

In  folds  loose  floating  fell  the  fainter  lawn, 

And  fair-exposed  she  stood  —  shrunk  from  herself. 

With  fancy  blushing,  at  the  doubtful  breeze 

Alarmed,  and  starting  like  the  fearful  fawn  ? 

'I'hen  to  the  flood  she  rushed  :  the  parted  flood 

Its  lovely  guest  with  closing  waves  received  ; 

And  every  beauty  s(jftoning,  every  grace 

Flushing  anew,    a  mellow  luster  shed  — 

Ah  shines  the  lily  through  the  crystal  mild. 

Or  as  the  rose  amid  the  nioriiiiig  dew, 

Fresh  from  Aurora's  hand,  more  sweetly  glows. 

While  thus  sh<'  wantoned,  now  beneath  liie  wave 

Ijiil  ill-con(!(  ale<i,  and  now  with  streaming  locks, 

riiat  half  embraced  her  in  u  humid  veil, 


74  SUMMER. 

Rising  again,  the  latent  Damon  drew 

►Such  maddening  draughts  of  beauty  to  the  soui, 

As  for  awhile  o'erwhelmed  his  raptured  thought 

With  luxury  too  daring.     Checked,  at  last. 

By  love's  respectful  modesty,  he  deemed 

The  theft  profane,  if  ought  profane  to  love 

Can  e'er  be  deemed,  and  struggling  from  the  shade. 

With  headlong  fury  fled  ;  but  first  these  lines, 

Traced  by  his  ready  pencil,  on  the  bank 

With  trembling  hand  he  threw  ;  "  Bathe  on,  my  fair. 

Yet  unbeheld  save  by  the  sacred  eye 

Of  faithful  love  :  I  go  to  guard  thy  haunt  ; 

To  keep  from  thy  recess  each  vagrant  foot. 

And  each  licentious  eye,"     With  wild  surprise, 

As  if  to  marble  struck,  devoid  of  sense, 

A  stupid  moment  motionless  she  stood  * 

So  stands  the  statue  that  enchants  the  world  ; 

So  bending  tries  to  veil  the  matchless  boast, 

The  mingled  beauties  of  exulting  Greece. 

Recovering,  swift  she  flew  to  find  those  robes 

Which  blissful  Edc»n  knew  not  ;  and,  arrayed 

In  careless  haste,  the  alarming  paper  snatched. 

But  when  her  Damon's  well-known  hand  she  saw. 

Her  terrors  vanisiied,  and  a  softer  train 

Of  mixed  emotions,  hard  to  be  described. 

Her  sudden  bosom  seized  :  shame  void  of  guilt. 

The  charming  blush  of  innocence,  esteem 

And  admiration  of  her  lover's  flame, 

By  modesty  exalted.     Even  a  sense 

Of  self-approving  beauty  stole  across 

Her  busy  thought.     At  length,  a  tendei  calm 

Hushed  by  degrees  the  tumult  cf  hei  soul  \ 

And  on  the  si)rea(liiig  beech,  that  o'er  the  stream 

Incumbent  hung,  she  with  the  sylvan  pen 

Of  rural  lovers  this  confession  carved, 

Which  soon  her  Damon  kissed  with  weeping  joy  - 

"  Dear  youth  !  sole  judge  of  what  these  verses  mean, 

By  fortune  too  much  favored,  but  by  love, 

Alas  !   not  favored  less,  be  still  as  now 

Discreet ;  the  time  may  come  you  need  not  fly,'' 


SUMMER.  75 

The  sun  has  lost  his  rage  :  his  downward  orb 
Shoots  nothing  now  but  animating  warmth, 
And  vital  luster  ;  that,  with  various  ray, 
Lights  up  the  clouds,  those  beauteous  robes  of  heavei. 
Incessant  rolled  into  romantic  shapes. 
The  dream  of  waking  fancy  !  Broad  below, 
Covered  with  ripening  fruits,  and  swelling  fast 
Into  the  perfect  year,  the  pregnant  earth 
And  all  her  tribes  rejoice.     Now  the  soft  hour 
Of  walking  comes  :  for  him  who  lonely  loves 
To  seek  the  distant  hills,  and  there  converse 
With  Nature  ;  there  to  harmonize  his  lieart, 
And  in  pathetic  song  to  breathe  around 
The  harmony  to  others.     Social  friends, 
Attuned  to  happy  unison  of  soul  — 
To  whose  exalting  eye  a  fairer  world. 
Of  which  the  vulgar  never  had  a  glimpse. 
Displays  its  charms  —  whose  minds  are  richly  fraught 
With  philosophic  stores,  superior  light  — 
And  in  whose  breast,  enthusiastic,  burns 
Virtue  the  sons  of  interest  deem  romance, 
Now  called  abroad  enjoy  the  falling  day  : 
Now  to  the  verdant  Portico  of  woods, 
To  Nature's  vast  Lyceum  forth  they  walk  ; 
By  that  kind  School  where  no  proud  master  reigns, 
The  full  free  converse  of  the  friendly  heart. 
Improving  and  improved.     Now  from  the  world, 
Sacred  to  sweet  retirement,  lovers  steal, 
And  pour  their  souls  in  transport,  which  the  sire 
Of  love  approving  hears,  and  calls  it  good. 
Which  way,  Amanda,  shall  we  bentl  our  course? 
The  choice  perplexes.      Wherefore  should  we  choose  *r 
All  is  the  same  with  thee.     Say,  shall  we  wind 
Along  the  streams  'i  or  walk  tlie  smiling  meadJ? 
Or  court  the  forest  glades?  or  wander  wild 
A'nong  the  waving  liarvests  ?  or  ascend. 
While  railiant  Sununcr  opens  all  its  pride. 
Thy  hill,  delightful  Shciic?*      Here  kt  us  sweep 

*  The  old  name  of  liichmond,  ei^nifymu;  in  Sixou  Sliiifii,,^ 
or  Splendor. 


W  SUMMER. 

The  boundless  landscape  ;  now  the  raptured  eye, 

Exulting  swift,  to  huge  Augusta  send, 

Now  to  the  sister-hills  *that  skirt  her  plain, 

To  lofty  Harrow  now,  and  now  to  where 

Majestic  Windsor  lifts  his  princely  brow. 

In  lovely  contrast  to  this  glorious  view. 

Calmly  magnificent,  then  will  we  turn 

To  where  the  silver  Thames  first  rural  grows. 

There  let  the  feasted  eye  unwearied  stray  ; 

Luxurious,  there,  rove  through  the  pendant  woods 

That  nodding  hang  o'er  Harrington's  retreat. 

And  stooping  thence  to  Ham's  embowering  walks. 

Beneath  whose  shades,  in  spotless  peace  retired, 

With  her  the  pleasing  partner  of  his  heart, 

The  worthy  Queensberry  yet  laments  his  Gay, 

And  polished  Cornbury  wooes  the  willing  muse,f 

Slow  let  us  trace  the  matchless  vale  of  Thames  — 

Fair- winding  up  to  where  the  muses  haunt 

In  Twickenham's  bowers,  and  for  their  Po]>e  implore 

The  healing  god,  to  royal  Hampton's  pile. 

To  Clermont  8  terraced  height,  and  Esher's  groves, 

Where  in  the  sweetest  solitude,  embraced 

By  the  soft  windings  of  the  silent  Mole, 

From  courts  and  senates  Pelham  finds  repose.J 

Enchanting  vale  !  beyond  whate'er  the  muse 

Has  of  Achaia  or  Hesperia  sung  ! 

O  vale  of  bliss  !  O  softly  swelling  hills  ! 

On  which  the  power  of  cultivation  lies. 

And  joys  to  see  the  wonders  of  his  toil. 

Heavens  !  what  a  goodly  prospect  spreads  around, 
Of  hills,  and  dales,  and  woods,  and  lawns,  and  spires. 
And  glittering  towns,  and  gilded  streams,  till  all 
The  stretching  landscape  into  smoke  decays  ! 
Happy  Britannia  !   where  the  Queen  of  Arts, 
Inspiring  vigor.  Liberty  abroad 

*  Highgate  and  Hampslcad. 

f  Henry,  Lord  Cornhury,  son  of  the  Earl  of  Clarendon. 

t  The  Right  Hon.   Henry  Pelham.   who.   from  1721  to  1743 
held  the  omce  of  First  Lord  of  tlic  Treasury. 


SUMMER.  *n 

Walks,  unconfined,  even  to  thy  furthest  cots, 
And  scatters  plenty  with  unsparing  hand. 

Rich  is  thy  soil,  and  merciful  thy  clime  ; 
Thy  streams  unfailing  in  the  summer's  drought  ; 
Unmatched  thy  guardian-oaks  ;  thy  valleys  float 
With  golden  waves  ;  and  on  thy  mountains  flocks 
Bleat  numberless  —  while,  roving  round  their  sides, 
Bellow  the  blackening  herds  in  lusty  droves. 
Beneath,  thy  meadows  glow,  and  rise  unquelled 
Against  the  mower's  scythe.     On  every  hand 
Thy  villas  shine.     Thy  country  teems  with  wealth  ; 
And  property  assures  it  to  the  swain, 
Pleased,  and  unwearied,  in  his  guarded  toil. 

Full  are  thy  cities  with  the  sons  of  art ; 
And  trade  and  joy,  in  every  busy  street, 
Mingling  are  heard  :  even  drudgery  himself, 
As  at  the  car  ho  sweats,  or  dusty  hues 
The  palace-stone,  looks  gay.     Ihy  crowded  ports, 
Where  rising  masts  an  endless  prospect  yield, 
With  labor  burn,  and  echo  to  the  shouts 
Of  hurried  sailor,  as  he  hearty  waves 
His  last  adieu,  and,  loosening  every  sheet, 
Resigns  the  spreading  vessel  to  the  wind. 

Bold,  firm,  and  graceful,  are  thy  generous  youth. 
By  hardship  sinewed,  and  by  danger  fired. 
Scattering  the  nations  where  they  go  ;  and  first, 
Or  on  the  listed  plain,  or  stormy  seas. 
Mild  are  thy  glories  too,  as  o'er  the  plans 
Of  thriving  peaee  thy  thoughtful  sires  preside  ; 
In  genius,  and  substantial  IcaiMiing,  high  ; 
F<ir  every  virtue,  every  worth,  renowned  : 
Sincere,  |>lain-hearted,  hospitable,  kind  ; 
Yet  like  the  mustering  tliun<l('r  when  provoked, 
The  dread  of  tyrants,  and  the  sc^lc  resource 
Of  those  that  under  grim  oppression  groan. 

Thy  sons  of  glory  many  I   Alfred  thine, 
In  whom  the  splendor  of  lieroic  war, 
And  more  henjic  jx-ace,  wlii-n  governed  well. 
Combine  ;   whose  hallowed  name  the  virtues  saiut, 
\\\\  his  own  muses  luve  —  the;  best  of  kings. 


YB  SUMMER. 

With  him  thy  Edwards  and  thy  Henrys  shine, 

Names  dear  to  fame  ;  the  first  who  deep  impressed 

On  haughty  Gaul  the  terror  of  thy  arms, 

That  awes  her  genius  still.     In  statesmen  thou, 

And  patriots,  fertile.     Thine  a  steady  More, 

Who,  with  a  generous  though  mistaken  zeal. 

Withstood  a  brutal  tyrant's  useful  rage. 

Like  Cato  firm,  like  Aristides  just, 

Like  rigid  Cincinnatus  nobly  poor  — 

A  dauntless  soul  erect,  who  smiled  on  death. 

Frugal  and  wise,  a  Walsingham  is  thine  ; 

A  Drake,  who  made  thee  mistress  of  the  deep. 

And  bore  thy  name  in  thunder  round  the  world. 

Then  flamed  thy  spirit  high  :  but  who  can  speak 

The  numerous  worthies  of  the  maiden-reign  ? 

In  Raleigh  mark  their  every  glory  mixed  ; 

Raleigh,  the  scourge  of  Spain  !  whose  breast  with  all 

The  sage,  the  patriot,  and  the  hero  burned. 

Nor  sunk  his  vigor  when  a  coward-reign 

The  warrior  fettered,  and  at  last  resigned, 

To  glut  the  vengeance  of  a  vanquished  foe. 

Then,  active  still  and  unresi rained,  his  mind 

Explored  the  vast  extent  of  ages  past. 

And  with  his  prison-hours  wiriched  the  world  ; 

Yet  found  no  times,  in  all  the  long  research. 

So  glorious,  or  so  base,  as  those  he  proved, 

In  which  he  conquered,  and  in  which  he  bled. 

Nor  can  the  muse  the  gallant  Sidney  pass, 

The  plume  of  war  !  with  early  laurels  crowned. 

The  lover's  myrtle,  and  the  poet's  bay. 

A  Hampden  too  is  thine,  illustrious  land, 

Wise,  strenuous,  firm,  of  unsubmitting  soiri, 

Who  stemmed  the  torrents  of  a  downward  age 

To  slavery  prone,  and  bade  thee  rise  again. 

In  all  thy  native  pomp  of  freedom  bold. 

Bright,  at  his  call,  thy  age  of  men  effulged  ; 

Of  men  on  whom  late  time  a  kindling  eye 

Shall  turn,  and  tyrants  tremble  while  they  read. 

Bring  every  sweetest  flower,  and  let  me  strew 

The  grave  where  Russell  lies  :   whose  tempered  blood, 


SUMMER  TO 

With  calmest  cheerfulness  for  thee  resigned, 

Stained  the  sad  annals  of  a  giddy  reign  — 

Aiming  at  lawless  power,  though  meanly  sunk 

In  loose  mglorious  luxury.     With  him 

His  friend,  the  British  Cassius,*  fearless  bled  ; 

Of  high  determined  spirit,  roughly  brave, 

By  ancient  learning  to  the  enlightened  love 

Of  ancient  freedom  warmed.    Fair  thy  renown 

In  awful  sages  and  in  noble  bards  j 

Soon  as  the  light  of  dawning  science  spread 

Her  orient  ray,  and  waked  the  muses'  song. 

Thine  is  a  Bacon,  hapless  in  his  choice  ; 

Unfit  to  stand  the  civil  storm  of  state, 

And  through  the  smooth  barbarit}^  of  courts. 

With  firm  but  pliant  virtue,  forward  still 

To  urge  his  course.     Him  for  the  studious  shade 

King  Nature  formed,  deep,  compreliensive,  clear. 

Exact,  and  elegant  ;  in  one  rich  soul, 

Plato,  the  Stagyrite,  and  Tully  joined. 

The  great  deliverer  he  !  who  from  the  gloom 

Of  cloistered  monks,  and  jargon-teaching  schoola 

Led  forth  the  true  Philosophy,  there  long 

Held  in  the  magic  chain  of  words  and  forms. 

And  definitions  void  :  he  led  her  forth, 

Daughter  of  heaven  !  that  slow-ascending  still, 

Investigating  sure  the  chain  of  things, 

With  radiant  finger  points  to  heaven  again. 

The  generous  Ashley  thine,  the  friend  of  man  ; 

Who  scanned  his  nature  with  a  brother's  eye. 

His  weakness  prompt  to  shade,  to  raise  his  aim, 

To  touch  the  finer  movements  of  the  mind. 

And  with  the  moral  beauty  charm  the  heart. 

Why  need  I  name  thy  Boyle,  whose  pious  search. 

Amid  the  dark  recesses  of  his  works 

The  great  Creator  sought?  And  why  thy  Locke, 

Who  made  the  whole  internal  world  his  own? 

Let  Newton,  pure  intelligence, whom  God 

'i'o  mortals  lent,  to  trace  his  hojuidless  works. 

From  laws  sublimely  simple,  speak  thy  fame; 

•Algernon  Sidney. 


80  SUMMER. 

In  all  philosophy.     Fo:  lofty  sense, 

Creative  fancy,  and  inspection  keen 

Through  the  deep  windings  of  tlie  human  heart, 

Is  not  wild  Shakespeare  thine  ami  Nature's  boast  r 

Is  not  each  great,  each  amiable  iiuise 

Of  classic  ages-  in  thy  Milton  met  ? 

A  genius  universal  as  his  theme, 

Astonishing  as  chaos,  as  the  bloom 

Of  blooming  Eden  fair,  as  Heaven  sublime. 

Nor  shall  my  verse  that  elder  bard  forget, 

The  gentle  Spenser,  fancy's  pleasing  son, 

Who,  like  a  copious  river,  ]ioured  his  song 

O'er  all  the  mazes  of  eiuiuuited  ground  ; 

Nor  thee,  his  ancient  master,  laughing  sage, 

Chaucer,  whose  native  manners-painting  verse. 

Well  moralized,  shines  through  the  Gothic  cloud 

Of  time  and  language  o'er  thy  genius  thrown. 

May  my  song  soften,  as  thy  daughters  I, 
Britannia,  hail !  for  beauty  is  their  own, 
The  feeling  heart,  simplicity  of  life, 
And  elegance^  and  taste  ;  the  faultless  form, 
Shaped  by  the  hand  of  harmony  ;  the  cheek. 
Where  the  live  crimson,  through  the  native  white 
Soft-shooting,  o'er  the  face  diffuses  bloom. 
And  every  nameless  grace  ;  the  parted  lip. 
Like  the  red  rosebud  moist  with  morning  dew. 
Breathing  delight  \  and,  under  flowing  jet, 
Or  sunny  ringlets,  or  of  circling  brown. 
The  neck  slight-siiaded,  and  the  swelling  breast ; 
The  look  resistless,  pierc'ng  to  the  soul. 
And  by  the  soul  informed,  when  dressed  in  love 
She  sits  high-smiling  in  the  conscious  eye. 

Island  of  bliss  !  amid  the  subject  seas 
That  thunder  round  thy  i-ocky  coast,  set  up, 
At  once  the  wonder,  terror,  and  delight. 
Of  distant  nations  ;  whose  remotest  shore 
Can  soon  be  shaken  by  the  naval  arm  ; 
Not  to  be  shook  thyself,  but  all  assaults 
Baffling,  like  thy  hoar  clift's  the  Joud  sea-wave 

O  Thou  by  whose  almighty  nod  the  scale 


SUMMER.  81 

Of  empires  rises,  or  alternate  falls, 

Send  forth  the  saving  virtues  round  the  land, 

In  bright  patrol :  white  peace,  and  social  love  ; 

The  tender-looking  charity,  intent 

On  gentle  deeds,  and  shedding  tears  through  smiles  \ 

Undaunted  truth,  and  dignity  of  mind  ; 

Courage  composed,  and  keen  ;  sound  temperance, 

Healthful  in  heart  and  look  ;  clear  chastity. 

With  blushes  reddening  as  she  moves  along. 

Disordered  at  the  deep  regard  she  draws  ; 

Rough  industry  ;  activity  untired, 

With  copious  life  informed,  and  all  awake  ; 

While  in  the  radiant  front,  superior  shines 

That  first  paternal  virtue,  public  zeal  — 

Who  throws  o'er  all  an  equal  wide  survey, 

And,  ever  musing  on  the  common  weal. 

Still  labors  glorious  with  some  great  design. 

Low  walks  the  sun,  and  broadens  by  degrees. 
Just  o'er  the  verge  of  day.     The  shifting  clouds 
Assembled  gay,  a  richly-gorgeous  train, 
In  all  their  pomp  attend  his  setting  throne. 
Air,  earth,  and  ocean  smile  immense.     And  now 
As  if  his  weary  chariot  sought  the  bowers 
Of  Amphitrite  and  her  tending  nymphs, 
(So  Grecian  fable  sung)  he  dips  his  orb  ; 
Now  half -immersed  ;  and  now  a  golden  curve 
Gives  one  bright  glance,  then  total  disappears. 

Forever  running  an  enchanted  round. 
Passes  the  day,  deceitful,  vain,  and  void  ; 
As  fleets  the  vision  o'er  the  formful  brain, 
This  moment  hurrying  wild  the  impassioned  soul, 
The  next  in  nothing  lost.     'Tis  so  to  him, 
Tlie  dreamer  of  this  earth,  an  idle  blank  : 
A  sight  of  horror  to  the  cruel  wretch 
Who,  all  day  long  in  sordid  pleasure  rolled. 
Himself  an  useless  load,  has  sqnan<lored  vile. 
Upon  his  s(;oundrel  train,  what  might  have  cheered 
A  drooping  family  of  modest  wortli. 
But  to  the  generous  still-improving  mind, 
That  gives  the  hopeless  heart  to  sing  for  joy, 
6 


82  SUMMER. 

Diffusing  kind  beneficence  around, 
Boastless,  as  now  descends  the  silent  dew  — 
To  him  the  long  review  of  ordered  life 
Is  inward  rapture,  only  to  be  felt. 

Confessed  from  yonder  slow-extinguished  clouda 
All  ether  softening,  sober  evening  takes 
Her  wonted  station  in  the  middle  air  ; 
A  thousand  shadows  at  her  beck.     First  this 
She  sends  on  earth ,  then  that  of  deeper  dye 
Steals  soft  behind  ;  and  then  a  deeper  still, 
In  circle  following  circle,  gathers  round, 
To  close  the  face  of  things.     A  fresher  gale 
Begins  to  wave  the  wood,  and  stir  the  stream, 
Sweeping  with  shadowy  gust  the  fields  of  corn  ; 
While  the  quail  clamors  for  his  running  mate. 
Wide  o'er  the  thistly  lawn,  as  swells  the  breeze, 
A  whitening  shower  of  vegetable  down 
Amusive  floats.     The  kind  impartial  care 
Of  nature  naught  disdains  :  thoughtful  to  feed 
Her  lowest  sons,  and  clothe  the  coming  year, 
From  field  to  field  the  feathered  seeds  she  wings. 

His  folded  flock  secure,  the  shepherd  home 
Hies,  merry-hearted  ;  and  by  turns  relieves 
The  ruddy  milkmaid  of  her  brimming  pail ; 
The  beauty  whom  perhaps  his  witless  heart. 
Unknowing  what  the  joy-mixed  anguish  means, 
Sincerely  loves,  by  that  best  language  shown 
Of  cordial  glances  and  obliging  deeds 
Onward  they  pass,  o'er  many  a  panting  height, 
And  valley  sunk,  and  unfrequented  ;  where 
At  fall  of  eve  the  fairy  people  throng. 
In  various  game  and  revelry  to  pass 
The  summer-night,  as  village-stories  tell. 
But  far  about  they  wander  from  the  grave 
Of  him,  whom  his  ungentle  fortune  urged 
Against  his  own  sad  breast  to  lift  the  hand 
Oi  impious  violence.     The  lonely  tower 
Is  also  shunned  ;  whose  mournful  chambers  hold. 
So  night-struck  fancy  dreams,  the  yelling  ghost 

Among  the  crooked  lanes,  on  every  hedge, 


SUMMER.  n 

The  glow-worm  lights  his  gem  ;    and  through  the 

dark, 
A  moving  radiance  twinkles.     Evening  yields 
The  world  to  night ;     not  in  her  winter  robe 
Of  massy  Stygian  woof,  but  loose  arrayed 
In  mantle  dun,     A  faint  erroneous  ray. 
Glanced  from  the  imperfect  surfaces  of  things, 
Vlings  half  an  image  on  the  straining  eye  ; 
While  wavering  woods,  and  villages,  and  streamij 
And  rocks,  and  mountain-tops,  that  long  retained 
The  ascending  gleam,  are  all  one  swimming  scene, 
Uncertain  if  beheld.     Sudden  to  heaven 
Thence  weary  vision  turns  ;  where,  leading  soft 
The  silent  hours  of  love,  with  purest  ray 
Sweet  Venus  shines  ;  and  from  her  genial  rise 
When  daylight  sickens,  till  it  springs  afresh, 
Unrivaled  reigns,  the  fairest  lamp  of  night. 
As  thus  the  effulgence  tremulous  I  drink 
With  cherished  gaze,  the  lambent  lightnings  shoot 
Across  the  sky  ;  or  horizontal  dart 
In  wondrous  shapes  —  by  feai-ful  murmuring  crowds 
Portentous  deemed.     Amid  the  radiant  orbs 
That  moi"e  than  deck,  that  animate  the  sky, 
The  life-infusing  suns  of  other  worlds, 
Lo  !  from  the  dread  immensity  of  spixce 
Returning,  with  accelerated  course. 
The  rushing  comet  to  the  sun  descends  ; 
And  as  he  sinks  below  the  shading  earth. 
With  awful  train  projected  o'er  the  heavens, 
The  guilty  nations  tremble.     But,  above 
Those  superstitious  horrors  that  enslave 
The  fond  sequacious  herd,  to  mystic  faith 
And  blind  amazement  prone,  the  enlightened  few, 
Whose  go<llike  minds  philosophy  exalts. 
The  glorious  stranger  hail.     They   feel  a  joy 
Divinely  great  :   they  in  their  powers  exult. 
That   wondrous  force   of    thought   which    mounting 

spurns 
This  dusky  spot  and  measures  all  the  sky. 
While  from  his  far  excursion  through  the  wilds 


84  SUMMEk. 

Of  barren  ether,  faithful  to  his  time, 

They  see  the  blazing  wonder  rise  anew, 

In  seeming  terror  clad,  but  kindly  bent 

To  work  the  will  of  all-sustaining  Love  ; 

From  his  huge  vapor}^  train  perhaps  to  shake 

Reviving  moisture  on  the  numerous  orbs 

Through  which  his  long  ellipsis  winds  —  perhaps 

To  lend  new  fuel  to  declining  suns, 

To  light  up  worlds,  and  feed  the  eternal  fire. 

With  thee,  serene  philosophy,  with  thee. 
And  thy  bright  garland,  let  me  crown  my  song ! 
Eifusive  source  of  evidence,  and  truth  ! 
A  luster  shedding  o'er  the  ennobled  mind, 
Stronger  than  summer-noon  ;  and  pure  as  that 
Whose  mild  vibrations  soothe  the  parted  soul, 
New  to  the  dawnmg  of  celestial  day. 
Hence  through  her  nourished  powers,  enlarged  by 

thee. 
She  springs  aloft,  with  elevated  pride, 
Above  the  tangling  mass  of  low  desires 
That  bind  the  fluttering  crowd  ;  and,  angel-winged, 
The  heights  of  science  and  of  virtue  gains. 
Where  all  is  calm  and  clear  :  with  nature  round. 
Or  in  the  starry  regions,  or  the  abyss. 
To  reason's  and  to  fancy's  eye  displayed: 
The  first  up-tracing,  from  the  dreary  void, 
The  chain  of  causes  and  effects  to  Him, 
Tlie  world  producing  Essence,  who  alone 
Possesses  being  ;  while  the  last  receives 
The  whole  magnificence  of  heaven  and  earth. 
And  every  beauty,  delicate  or  bold, 
Obvious  or  more  remote,  with  livelier  sense, 
Diffusive  painted  on  the  rapid  mind. 

Tutored  by  thee,  hence  poetry  exalts 
Her  voice  to  ages;  and  informs  the  page 
With  music,  i»nage,  sentiment,  and  thought. 
Never  to  die  !  the  treasure  of  mankind, 
Their  highest  h'onor,  and  their  truest  joy  ! 

Witliout  thee,  what  were  unenlightened  man? 
A  aavagti  f'*aming  through  the  woods  and  nilds, 


SUMMER.  85 

In  quest  of  prey;  and  with  the  unfashioned  fur 

Rough-clad  ;  devoid  of  every  liner  art, 

And  elegance  of  life.     Nor  happiness 

Domestic,  mixed  of  tenderness  and  care, 

Nor  moral  excellence,  nor  social  bliss, 

Nor  guardian  law  were  his  ;  nor  various  skiU 

To  turn  the  furrow,  or  to  guide  the  tool 

Mechanic  ;  nor  the  heaven-conduct od  prow 

Of  navigation  bold,  that  fearless  braves 

The  burning  line  or  dares  the  wintry  pole, 

Mother  severe  of  infinite  delights  ! 

Nothing,  save  rapine,  indolence,  and  guile. 

And  woes  on  woes,  a  still-revolving  train  ! 

Whose  horrid  circle  had  made  human  life 

Than  non-existence  worse  :  but,  taught  by  thee^ 

Ours  are  the  plans  of  policy  and  peace  ; 

To  live  like  brothers,  and  conjunctive  all 

Embellish  life.     While  thus  laborious  crowds 

Ply  the  tough  oar,  philosophy  directs 

The  ruling  helm  ;  or,  like  the  liberal  breath 

Of  potent  heaven,  invisible,  the  sail 

Swells  out,  and  bears  the  inferior  world  along. 

Nor  to  this  evanescent  speck  of  earth 
Poorly  confined — the  radiant  tracts  on  high 
Are  here  exalted  range  ;  intent  to  gaze 
Creation  tlirough  ;  and,  from  that  full  complex 
Of  never-ending  wonders,  to  conceive 
Of  the  Sole  Being  right,  who  s])oke  the  word, 
And  Nature  moved  complete.     Witli   inward  view^ 
Thence  on  the  ideal  kingdom  swift  slio  turns 
Her  eye  ;  and  instant,  at  her  powerful  glance, 
The  obedient  |ihantoms  vanish  or  apjx-ar  ; 
Compound,  divide,  and  into  order  shift, 
Each  to  his  rank,  from  i)lain  perception  up 
To  the  fair  forms  of  fancy's  Hcc'ting  train  ; 
To  reason  then,  <leducing  truth  froin  truth, 
And  notion  quite  abstract  ;   where  first  begins 
The  world  of  spirits,  action  all,  and  life 
I 'nfetfnred,  arul  unmixed.     But  here  the  cloud. 
'■^  ■  w\\\<  Internal  Providence,  sits  deep. 


A  utumn: 


Enough  for  us  to  know  that  this  dark  state, 

In  wayward  passions  lost,  and  vain  pursuits, 

This  infancy  of  being,  cannot  prove 

The  final  issue  of  the  works  of  God, 

By  boundless  Love  and  perfect  Wisdom  formed, 

And  ever  rising  with  the  rising  mind. 


AUTUMN. 

Argument. —  The  subject  proposed  —  Addressed  to  Mr 
Onslow  —  A  prospect  of  the  fields  ready  for  harvest  —  Re 
flections  in  praise  of  industry,  raised  by  that  view  —  Reap 
ing  —  A  tale  reJative  to  it  —  A  harvest  storm  —  Shootin| 
and  hunting  ;  their  barbarity  —  A  ludicrous  account  of  fox 
hunting  —  A  view  of  an  orchard  —  Wall  fruit  —  A  vineyard 

—  A  description  of  fogs,  frequent  in  the  latter  part  o' 
Autumn  :  wlience  a  digression,  inquiring  into  llic  rise  o^ 
fountains  and  rivers — Birds  of  season  considered,  that  now 
shift  their  habitation  —  The  prodigious  number  of  then; 
that  cover  ihe  northern  and  western  isles  of  Scotland  — 
Hence  a  view  of  the  country  —  A  prospect  of  the  discolored, 
fading  woods  —  After  a  gentle  dusky  day,  moonlight  — 
Autumnal  meteors  —  Morning:  to  wiiich  succeeds  a  calm, 
pure,  sunshiny  day,  such  as  usually  shuts  up  the  season  — 
The  harvest  being  gathered  in,  the  country  dissolved  in  icy 

—  The  whole  concludes  with  a  panegyric  on  a  philosophical 
country  life. 

Crowned  with  the  sickle  and  the  wheatcn  sheaf, 
While  Autumn,  nodding  o'er  the  yellow  plain. 
Comes  jovial  on,  the  Doric  reed  once  more. 
Well  pleased,  I  tune.     Whate'er  the  wintry  frost 
Nitrous  prepared  —  the  various-blossomed  Spring 
Put  in  white  promise  forth  —  and  Sumnior  suns 
Concocted  strong  —  rush  boundless  now  to  view, 
Full  perfect  all,  and  swell  my  glorious  theme, 
Onslow  !  *  the  muse,  ambitious  of  thy  name, 
To  grace,  inspire,  and  dignify  her  song, 

*Arfliur  Onslow,  second  son  of  Sir  Cliarlcs  Oiislow    He  wac 
fleeted  Speaker  of  the  House  of  V-  )\\v\\c\\\-  j;;  K^i, 


A  UTUMN.  fH 

Would  from  the  public  voice  thy  gentle  ear 
Awhile  engage.     Thy  noble  cares  she  knows, 
The  patriot  virtues  that  distend  thy  thought, 
Spread  on  thy  front,  and  in  thy  bosom  glow  ; 
While  listening  senates  hang  upon  thy  tongue, 
Devolving  through  the  maze  of  eloquence 
A  roll  of  periods  sweeter  than  her  song. 
But  she  too  pants  for  public  virtue  ;  she, 
Though  weak  of  power  yet  strong  in  ardent  will. 
Whene'er  her  country  rushes  on  her  heart. 
Assumes  a  bolder  note,  and  fondly  tries 
To  mix  the  patriot's  with  the  poet's  flame. 

When  the  bright  Virgin  gives  the  beauteous  days, 
Anti  Libra  weighs  in  equal  scales  the  year. 
From  heaven's  high  cope  the  fierce  effulgence  shook 
Of  parting  Summer,  a  serener  blue, 
With  golden  light  enlivened,  wide  invests 
The  happy  world.     Attempered  suns  arise. 
Sweet-beamed,  and  shedding  oft  through  lucid  clouds 
A  pleasing  calm  ;  while  broad,  and  brown,  below 
Extensive  harvests  hang  the  heavy  head. 
Rich,  silent,  deep,  they  stand ;  for  not  a  gale 
Rolls  its  light  billows  o'er  the  bending  plain; 
A  calm  of  plenty  !  till  the  ruffled  air 
Falls  from  its  poise,  and  gives  the  breeze  to  blow. 
Rent  is  the  fleecy  mantle  of  tlie  sky  ; 
The  clouds  fly  different  ;  and  the  sudden  sun 
iiy  fits  effulgent  gilds  the  illumined  field, 
And  black  by  fitstlie  sliadows  sweep  along. 
A  gayly-checkered,  heart-expanding  view, 
Far  as  the  circling  eye  can  shoot  around. 
Unbounded  tossing  in  a  flood  of  corn. 

These  are  thy  bles.-sings,  industry  !  rough  power  t 
Whom  labor  still  attends,  and  sweat,  and  pain  ; 
Yet  the  kind  source  of  every  gentle  art, 
And  all  the  soft  civility  of  life  : 
Rais<'r  of  human  kind  !   by  Nature  cast. 
Naked,  and  hcljiless,  out  aini<i  the  woods 
Atn1  wilds,  to  rude  inclement  elements  ; 
With  various  seeds  of  art  deep  in  the  mind 


88  A  VTUMN. 

Implanted  —  and  profusely  poured  around 

Materials  infinite  ;  but  idle  all. 

Still  unexerted,  in  the  unconscious  breast, 

Slept  the  lethargic  powers  ;  corruption  still, 

Voracious,  swallowed  what  the  liberal  hand 

Of  bounty  scattered  o'er  the  savage  year  ; 

And  still  the  sad  barbarian,  roving,  mixed 

With  beasts  of  prey  ;  or  for  his  acorn  meal 

Fought  the  fierce  tusky  boar.     A  shivering  wretch  1 

Agliast  and  comfortless  when  the  black  north, 

With  Winter  charged,  let  the  mixed  tempest  fly, 

Hail,  rain,  and  snow,  and  bitter  breathing  frost  — 

Then  to  the  shelter  of  the  hut  he  fled  ; 

And  the  wild  season,  sordid,  pined  away. 

For  home  he  had  not  ;  home  is  the  resort 

Of  love,  of  joy,  of  peace  and  plenty,  where. 

Supporting  and  supported,  polished  friends. 

And  dear  relations,  mingle  into  bliss. 

But  this  the  rugged  savage  never  felt. 

Even  desolate  in  crowds  ;  and  thus  his  days 

Rolled  heavy,  dark,  and  unenjoyed,  along  : 

A  waste  of  time  !  till  industry  approached, 

And  roused  him  from  his  miserable  sloth  ; 

His  faculties  unfolded  ;  pointed  out 

Where  lavish  Nature  the  directing  hand 

Of  art  demanded  ;  showed  him  how  to  raise 

His  feeble  force  by  the  mechanic  powers  ; 

To  dig  the  mineral  from  the  vaulted  earth, 

On  what  to  turn  the  piercing  rage  of  fire. 

On  what  the  torrent,  and  the  gathered  blast, 

Gave  the  tall  ancient  forest  to  his  ax  ; 

Taught  him  to  chip  the  wood,  and  hew  the  stone, 

Till  by  degrees  the  finished  fabric  rose  ; 

Tore  from  his  limbs  the  blood-polluted  fur, 

And  wrapt  them  in  the  woolly  vestment  warm, 

Or  bright  in  glossy  silk,  and  flowing  lawn  ; 

With  wholesome  viands  filled  his  tabh',  poured 

The  generous  glass  around,  inspired  to  wake 

The  life-refining  soul  of  decent  wit  : 

Nor  stopped  at  barren  bare  necessity  j 


A  UTUMN.  80 

But,  still  advancing  bolder,  led  him  on 
To  pomp,  to  pleasure,  elegance,  and  grace  ; 
And,  breathing  high  ambition  through  his  soul. 
Set  science,  wisdom,  glory,  in  his  view. 
And  bade  him  be  the  lord  of  all  below. 

Then  gathering  men  their  natural  powers  combined, 
And  formed  a  public  ;  to  the  general  good 
Submitting,  aiming^  and  conducting  all. 
For  this  the  patriot-council  met,  the  full, 
The  free,  and  fairly  represented  whole  ; 
For  this  they  planned  the  holy  guardian  laws, 
Distinguished  orders,  animated  arts, 
And  with  joint  force  oppression  chaining,  set 
Imperial  justice  at  the  helm  —  yet  still 
To  them  accountable  ;  nor  slavish  dreamed 
That  toiling  millions  must  resign  their  weal, 
And  all  the  honey  of  their  search,  to  sucli 
As  for  themselves  alone  themselves  have  raised. 

Hence  every  form  of  cultivated  life 
In  order  set,  protected,  and  inspired, 
Into  perfection  wrought.     Uniting  all, 
Society  grew  numerous,  high,  polite. 
And  happy.     Nurse  of  art  !  tlie  city  reared 
In  beauteous  pride  her  tower-encircled  head  ; 
And,  stretching  street  on  street,  by  thousands  drew, 
From  twining  woody  haunts,  or  tlie  tougli  yew 
To  bows  strong-straining,  h(;r  asjnriiig  sons. 

Then  commerce  brought  into  the  public  walk 
The  busy  merchant  ;  the  big  wai-ehouse  built  ; 
Raised  the  strong  crane  ;  choked  up  the  loaded  street 
With  foreign  plenty  ;  and  thy  stream,  O  Thames, 
Large,  gentle,  deep,  majestic,  king  of  iloods  ! 
Choice  for  his  grand  resort.     On  either  hand. 
Like  a  long  wintry  forest,  groves  of  masts 
Shot  up  their  spires  ;  the  In'llying  sheet  between 
Possessed  the  breezy  void  ;  the  sooty  hulk 
Steered  sluggish  on  ;  the  splendid  l)arge  along 
Rowed  regular  to  liarnioDv  ;  around, 
The  boat,  light-skimming,  si  retched  its  oary  wings  _ 
While  deep  the  various  voice  of  fervent  toil 


•0  A  UTUMN. 

From  bank  to  bank  increased ;  whence,  ribbed  with 

oak, 
To  bear  the  British  thunder,  black  and  bold 
The  roaring  vessel  rushed  into  the  main. 

Then  too  the  pillared  dome,  magnific,  heaved 
Its  ample  roof  ;  and  luxury  within 
Poured  out  her  glittering  stores  ;  the  canvaf  smooth. 
With  glowing  life  protuberant,  to  the  view 
Embodied  rose ;  the  statue  seemed  to  breathe 
And  soften  into  flesh,  beneath  the  touch 
Of  forming  art,  imagination-flushed. 

All  is  the  gift  of  industry  ;  whate'er 
Exalts,  embellishes,  and  renders  life 
Delightful,     Pensive  Winter,  cheered  by  him, 
Sits  at  the  social  fire,  and  happy  hears 
The  excluded  tempest  idly  rave  along  ; 
His  hardened  fingers  deck  the  gaudy  Spring  ; 
Without  him.  Summer  were  an  arid  waste  ; 
Nor  to  the  Autumnal  months  could  thus  transmit 
Those  full,  mature,  immeasurable  stores, 
That,  waving  round,  recall  my  wandering  song. 

Soon  as  the  morning  trembles  o'er  the  sky. 
And,  unperceived,  unfolds  the  spreading  day, 
Before  the  ripened  field  the  reapers  stand, 
In  fair  array  ;  each  by  the  lass  he  loves. 
To  bear  the  rougher  part,  and  mitigate 
By  nameless  gentle  offices  her  toil. 
At  once  they  stoop  and  swell  the  lusty  sheaves  ; 
While  through  their  cheerful  band  the  rural  talk. 
The  rural  scandal,  and  the  rural  jest, 
Fly  hamilcss,  to  deceive  the  tedious  time. 
And  steal  unfelt  the  sultry  hours  away. 
Behind  the  master  walks  ;  builds  up  the  shocks  , 
And,  conscious,  glancing  oft  on  every  side 
His  sated  eye,  feels  his  heart  heave  with  joy. 
The  gleaners  spread  around  ;  and  here  and  there. 
Spike  after  sj)ike,  their  scanty  harvc,st  pick. 
Be  not  too  narrow,  husbandmen  !  but  fling 
From  the  full  sheaf,  with  charitable  stealth, 
The  libera),  handful.     Think,  oh  grateful  think  ! 


A  VTUMN.  01 

How  good  the  God  of  Harvest  is  to  you  ; 
Who  pours  abundance  o'er  your  flowing  fields  — 
While  these  unhappy  partners  of  your  kind 
Wide-hover  round  you,  like  the  fowls  of  heaven, 
And  ask  their  humble  dole.     The  various  turns 
Of  fortune  ponder  ;  that  your  sons  may  want 
What  now,  with  hard  reluctance,  faint,  ye  give. 

The  lovely  young  Lavinia  once  had  friends  ; 
And  fortune  smiled,  deceitful,  on  her  birth. 
For,  in  her  helpless  years  deprived  of  all, 
Of  every  stay  save  innocence  and  heaven, 
She,  with  her  widowed  mother,  feeble,  old, 
And  poor,  lived  in  a  cottage,  far  retired 
Among  the  windings  of  a  woody  vale  ; 
By  solitude  and  deep  surrounding  shades. 
But  more  by  bashful  modesty,  concealed. 
Together  thus  they  shunned  the  cruel  scorn 
Which  virtue,  sunk  to  poverty,  would  meet 
From  giddy  fashion  and  low-minded  pride  ; 
Almost  on  Nature's  common  bounty  fed. 
Like  the  gay  birds  that  sung  them  to  repose. 
Content,  and  careless  of  to-morrow's  fare. 
Her  form  was  fresher  than  the  morning  rose, 
When  the  dew  wets  its  leaves  ;  unstained  and  pur^ 
As  is  the  lily,  or  the  mountain  snow. 
The  modest  virtues  mingled  in  her  eyes. 
Still  on  the  ground  dejected,  darting  all 
Their  humid  beams  into  the  blooming  flowers  ; 
Or  when  the  mournful  tale  her  mother  told, 
Of  what  her  faithless  fortune  promised  once, 
Thrilled  in  her  thought,  they,  like  the  dewy  star 
Of  evening,  shone  in  tears.     A  native  grace 
Sat  fair- proportioned  on  her  polished  limbs, 
Veiled  in  a  simj>le  robe,  their  best  attire. 
Beyond  the  pomp  of  dress  ;  for  loveliness 
Needs  not  the  foreign  aid  of  ornament. 
But  is  when  unadorned  adorned  the  most. 
Tlioughtless  of  beauty,  she  was  beauty's  self, 
Rei'luse  amid  the  close-eiribowering  woods. 
As  in  the  hollow  breast  of  Apennine, 


dd  A  UTUMN. 

Beneath  the  shelter  of  encircling  hills, 
A  myrtle  rises,  far  from  human  eye, 
And  breathes  its  balmy  fragrance  o'er  the  wild. 
So  flourished  blooming,  and  unseen  by  all. 
The  sweet  Lavinia  ;  till,  at  length,  compelled 
By  strong  necessity's  supreme  command. 
With  smiling  patience  in  her  looks,  she  went 
To  glean  Palemon's  fields.  *     The  pride  of  swains 
Palemon  was,  the  generous,  and  the  rich  ; 
Who  led  the  rural  life  in  all  its  joy 
And  elegance,  such  as  Arcadian  song 
Transmits  from  ancient,  uncorrupted  times  — 
When  tyrant  custom  had  not  shackled  man, 
But  free  to  follow  nature  was  the  mode. 
He  then,  his  fancy  with  autumnal  scenes 
Amusing,  chanced  beside  his  reaper-train 
To  walk,  when  poor  Lavinia  drew  his  eye  ; 
Unconscious  of  her  power,  and  turning  quick 
With  unaffected  blushes  from  his  gaze  : 
He  saw  her  charming,  but  he  saw  not  half 
The  charms  her  downcast  modesty  concealed. 
That  very  moment  love  and  chaste  desire 
Sprung  in  his  bosom,  to  himself  unknown  ; 
For  still  the  world  prevailed,  and  its  dread  laugh. 
Which  scarce  the  firm  philosopher  can  scorn, 
Should  his  heart  own  a  gleaner  in  the  field  ; 
And  thus  in  secret  to  his  soul  he  sighed  : 
"  What  pity  !  that  so  delicate  a  form. 
By  beauty  kindled,  where  enlivening  sense 
And  more  than  vulgar  goodness  seem  to  dwell. 
Should  be  devoted  to  the  rude  embrace 
Of  some  indecent  clown  !  She  looks,  methinks. 
Of  old  Acasto's  line  ;  and  to  my  mind 
Recalls  that  patron  of  my  happy  life. 
From  whom  my  liberal  fortune  took  its  rise  ; 
Now  to  the  dust  gone  down — his  houses,  lands. 
And  once  fair-spreading  family,  dissolved. 
'Tis  said  that  in  some  lone  obscure  retreat. 
Urged  by  remembrance  sad,  and  decent  pride, 
♦  The  whole  of  this  puhsa^u  is  by  I'ope. 


AUTUMN.  93 

Far  from  those  scenes  which  knew  their  better  days, 
His  aged  widow  and  his  daughter  live, 
Whom  yet  my  fruitless  search  could  never  find. 
Romantic  wish,  would  this  the  daughter  were  !  " 

When,  strict  inquiring,  from  herself  he  found 
She  was  the  sauir>,  the  daughter  of  his  friend, 
Of  bountiful  Acasto  —  who  can  speak 
The  mingled  passions  that  surprised  his  heart. 
And  through  his  nerves  in  shivering  tran!^)ort  ran  : 
Then  blazed  his  smothered  flame,  avowed  and  bold  : 
And  as  he  viewed  her,  ardent,  o'er  and  o'er. 
Love,  gratitude,  and  pity,  wept  at  once. 
Confused,  and  frightened  at  his  sudden  tears, 
Her  rising  beauties  flushed  a  higher  bloom, 
As  thus  Palemon,  passionate  and  just. 
Poured  out  the  pious  rapture  of  his  soid  : 

"And  art  thou  then  Acasto's  dear  remains  ? 
She  whom  my  restless  gratitude  has  sought 
So  long  in  vain  ?     O  yes  !  the  very  same. 
The  softened  image  of  my  noble  friend  ; 
Alive,  his  every  feature,  every  look, 
More  elegantly  touched.     Sweeter  than  Spring  ! 
Thou  sole  surviving  blossom  from  the  root 
That  nourished  up  my  fortune,  say,  ah  where. 
In  what  sequestered  desert,  hast  thou  drawn 
The  kindest  aspect  of  delighted  Heaven  ? 
Into  such  beauty  spread,  and  blown  so  fair  ; 
Though  poverty's  cold  wind,  and  crushing  rain. 
Beat  keen,  and  heavy,  on  thy  tender  years  ! 
Oh  let  me  now,  into  a  richer  soil, 

Transplant  thee  safe  !  where  vernal  suns  and  showers 
Diffuse  their  warmest,  largest  influtsnce  ; 
And  of  my  garden  be  the  pride  and  joy  ! 
It,  ill  befits  tiiec,  oh,   it  ill  befits 
Acasto's  daughter — his  whose  open  stores, 
Though  vast,  wert;  little  to  his  amph;  heart, 
'i'lie  father  of  a  country,  thus  to  pick 
The  very  refuse  of  tliose  harvest -fields 
Which  from  his  bount(!ous  friendship  I  enjoy. 
Then  throw  that  sliameful  pittance  from  thy  hand, 


©4  A  UTUMN. 

But  ill  applied  to  such  a  rugged  task  : 
The  fields,  the  master,  all,  my  fair,  are  thine  ; 
If  to  the  various  blessings  which  thy  house 
Has  on  me  lavished,  thou  wilt  add  that  bliss, 
That  dearest  bliss,  the  power  of  blessing  thee  ! " 

Here  ceased  the  youth  :  yet  still  his  speaking 
Expressed  the  sacred  triumph  of  his  soul. 
With  conscious  virtue,  gratitude,  and  love, 
Above  the  vulgar  joy  divinely  raised. 
Nor  waited  he  reply.     Won  by  the  charm 
Of  goodness  irresistible,  and  all 
In  sweet  disorder  lost,  she  blushed  consent. 
The  news  immediate  to  her  mother  brought. 
While,  pierced  with  anxious  thought,  she  pined  away 
The  lonely  moments  for  Lavinia's  fate  — 
Amazed,  and  scarce  believing  what  she  heard, 
Joy  seized  her  withered  veins,  and  one  bright  gleam 
Of  setting  life  shone  on  her  evening-hours  : 
Not  less  enraptured  than  the  happy  pair  : 
Who  flourished  long  in  tender  bliss,  and  reared 
A  numerous  offspring,  lovely  like  themselves. 
And  good,  the  grace  of  all  the  country  round. 

Defeating  oft  the  labors  of  the  year. 
The  sultry  south  collects  a  potent  blast. 
At  first,the  groves  are  scarcely  seen  to  stir 
Their  trembling  tops,  and  a  still  murmur  runs 
Along  the  soft-inclining  fields  of  corn  ; 
But  as  the  aerial  tempest  fuller  swells. 
And  in  one  mighty  stream,  invisible. 
Immense,  the  whole  excited  atmosphere 
Impetuous  rushes  o'er  the  sounding  world. 
Strained  to  the  root,  the  stooping  forest  pours 
A  rustling  shower  of  yet  untimely  loaves. 
High-beat,  the  circling  mountains  eddy  in, 
From  the  bare  wild,  the  dissipated  storm. 
And  send  it  in  a  torrent  down  the  vale. 
Exposed,  and  naked,  to  its  utmost  rage. 
Through  all  th(>  sea  of  harvest  rolling  round, 
The  billowy  plain  floats  wide  ;  nor  can  evade, 
Though  pliant  to  the  blast,  its  seizing  force  -- 


AUTUMff.  M 

Or  whirled  in  air,  or  into  vacant  chaff 
Shook  waste.     And  sometimes  too  a  burst  of  rain, 
Swept  from  the  black  horizon,  broad,  descends 
In  one  continuous  flood.     Still  over  head 
The  mingling  tempest  waves  its  gloom,  and  still 
The  deluge  deepens  ;  till  the  fields  around 
Lie   sunk,  and  flatted,  in  the  sordid  wave. 
Sudden,  the  ditches  swell  ;  the  meadows  swim. 
Red,  from  the  hills,  innumerable  streams 
Tumultuous  roar  ;  and  high  above  its  bank 
The  river  lift ;  before  whose  rushing  tide, 
Herds,  flocks,  and  harvests,  cottages,  and  swaiiw. 
Roll  mingled  down  :  all  that  the  winds  had  sparvc 
In  one  wild  moment  ruined  ;  the  big  hopes. 
And  well-earned  treasures,  of  the  painful  vear. 
Fled  to  some  eminence,  the  husbandman. 
Helpless,  beholds  the  miserable  wreck 
Driving  along  ;  his  drowning  ox  at  once 
Descending,  with  his  labors  scattered  round, 
He  sees  ;  and  instant  o'er  his  suivering  thought 
Comes  Winter  unprovided,  and  a  train 
Of  clamant  children  dear.     Ye  masters,  then. 
Be  mindful  of  the  rough  laborious  hand 
That  sinks  you  soft  in  elegance  and  ease; 
He  mindful  of  those  limbs,  in  russet  clad, 
Whoe  toil  to  youis.  )«  warmth  and  graceful  pride 
And,  oil,  be  minafulof  that  sparing  board 
Which  covers  yours  with  luxury  profuse. 
Makes  youi  giass  sparkle,  and  your  sense  rejoice  I 
Xor  crijelly  demaiid  wliat  the  deep  rains 
And  all-invoiving  winds  have  swept  away. 

Here  the  ruda  chirnor  of  the  sportsman's  joy, 
The  (run  fast-thundering,  and  tl)e  winded  horn. 
Would  tt-nipt  the  muse  to  sin*  the  rural  game : 
How,  in  his  mid-career,  the  sj>aniel  struck, 
Stiff,  by  the  taintiMl  gale,  with  oj)en  nose, 
Outstreiched,  an<l  finely  sensible,  draws  full. 
Fearful,  and  cautious,  on  the  latent  prey  ; 
As  in  the  sun  the  circling  covey  bas'k 
Their  varied  plumes,  ;ind,  watchful  every  way, 


66  A  UTUMN. 

Through  the  rough  stubble  turn  the  secret  eye. 
Caught  in  the  meshy  snare,  in  vain  they  beat 
Their  idle  wings,  entangled  more  and  more  : 
Nor  on  the  surges  of  the  boundless  air, 
Though  borne  triumphant,  are  they  safe  ;  the  gun, 
Glanced  just  and  sudden  from  the  fowler's  eye, 
O'ertakes  their  sounding  pinions  ;  and,  again, 
Immediate  brings  them  from  the  towering  wing, 
Dead  to  the  ground  ;  or  drives  them   wide-dispersedi 
Wounded,  and  wheeling  various,  down  the  wind. 

These  are  not  subjects  for  the  peaceful  muse, 
Nor  wiH  she  stain  with  such  her  spotless  song  ; 
Then  most  delighted,  when  she  social  sees 
The  most  mixed  animal-creation  round 
Alive  and  happy,     'Tis  not  joy  to  her. 
This  falsely-cheerful,  barbarous  game  of  death  ; 
This  rage  of  pleasure,  which  the  restless  youth 
Awakes,  impatient,  with  the  gleaming  morn  ; 
When  beasts  of  prey  retire,  that  all  night  long, 
Urged  by  necessity,    had  ranged  the  dark. 
As  if  their  conscious  ravage  shunned  the  light. 
Ashamed.    Not  so  the  steady  tyrant  man, 
Who  with  the  thoughtless  insolence  of  power 
Inflamed,  beyond  the  most  infuriate  wrath 
Of  the  worst  monster  that  e'er  roamed  the  wastes 
For  sport  alone  pursues  the  cruel  chase. 
Amid  the  beamings  of  the  gentle  days. 
Upbraid,  ye  ravening  tribes,  oui  wanton  rage, 
For  hunger  kindles  you,  and  lawless  want  ; 
iiiit  lavish  fed,  in  Nature's  bounty  rolled. 
To  joy  at  anguish,  and  delight  in  blood, 
Is  what  your  horrid  bosoms  never  knew. 

Poor  is  the  triumph  o'er  the  timid  hare  ! 
Scared  from  the  corn,  and  now  to  some  lone  seat 
Retired  :  the  rushy  fen  ;  the  ragged  furze, 
Stretched  o'er    the   stony    heath  ;  the   stubble   chap 

ped  ; 
The  thistly  lawn  ;  the  thick  entangled  broom. 
Of  the  same    friendly  hue,  the  withered   fern  ; 
The  fallow  ground  laid  open  to  the  sun, 


AUTUMM.  I 

Concoctive  ;  and  the  nodding  sandy  bank. 
Hung  o'er  the  mazes  of  the  mountain  brook. 
Vain  is  her  best  precaution  ;  though  she  sits 
Concealed,  with  folded  ears  ;  unsleeping  eye8, 
By  Nature  raised  to  take  the  horizon  in  ; 
And  head  couched  close  betwixt  her  hairy  feet. 
In  act  to  spring  away.     The  scented  dew 
Betrays  her  early  labyrinth  ;  and  deep, 
In  scattered  sullen  openings,  far  behind, 
With  every  breeze  she  hears  the  coming  storm. 
But  nearer,  and  more  frequent,  as  it  loads 
The  sighing  gale,  she  springs  amazed,  and  all 
The  savage  soul  of  game  is  up  at  once  : 
The  pack  full-opening,  various  ;  the  shrill  horn, 
Resounded  from  the  hills  ;  the  neighing  steed. 
Wild  for   the  chase  ;  and  the  loud  hunter's  shout 
O'er  a  weak,  harmless,  flying  creature,  all 
.Mixed  in  mad  tumult,  and  discordant  joy. 

The  stag  too,  singled  from  the  herd,  where  long 
Me  ranged  the  branching  monarch  of  the    shades. 
Before  the  tempest  drives.     At  first,  in  speed 
He,  sprightly,  puts  his  faith  ;  and,  roused  by  fear, 
Gives  all  his  swift  aerial  soul  to  flight. 
Against  the  breeze  he  darts,  that  way  the  more 
To  leave  the  lessening  murderous  cry  behind  : 
Deception  short  !   though  fleeter  than  the  winds 
Blown  o'er  the  keen-aired  mountain  by  the  north, 
He  bursts  the  thickets,  glances  through  the  gladea. 
And  plunges  deep  into  the  wildest  wood  — 
If  slow,  yet  sure,  adhesive  to  the  track 
Hot-steaming,  up  behind  him  come  again 
The  inliuman  roiit,  and  from  the  shady  depth 
Expel  him,  circling  through  his  every  shift. 
He  sweeps  the  forest  oft  ;  and  sobbing  sees 
The  glades,  mild  opening  to  the  golden  day, 
Wher(!,  in  kind  contest,  with  his  l)ntliiiic  friends 
He  wont  to  struggle,  or  his  loves  enjoy. 
Oft  in  the   fuU-tlesceiiding  flood  he  tries 
To  lose  the  scent,  and  lave  his  Imriiiiig  sides  ; 
v/ft  Hi.'cks  the  h(,Td  ;  the  watch I'lil  herd,  alarmed., 


18  AUTUMN. 

With  selfish  care  avoid  a  brother's  woe. 

What  shall  he  do?     His  once  so  vivid  nervee, 

So  full  of  buoyant  spirit,  now  no  more 

Inspire  the  course  ;  but  fainting  breathless  toil. 

Sick,  seizes  on  his  heart  :  he  stands  at  bay  ; 

And  puts  his  last  weak  refuge  in  despair. 

The  big  round  tears  run  down  his  dappled  face  ; 

He  groans  in  anguish  ;  while  the  growling  pack, 

Blood-happy,  hang  at  his  fair  jutting  chest. 

And  mark  his  beauteous  checkered  sides  with  gore 

Of  this  enough.     But  if  the  sylvan  youth 
Whose  fervent  blood  boils  into  violence 
Must  have  the  chase  —  behold,  despising  flight. 
The  roused-up  lion,  resolute  and  slow. 
Advancing  full  on  the  protended  spear. 
And  coward-band,  that  circling  wheel  aloof. 
Slunk  from  the  cavern,  and  the  troubled  wood, 
See  the  grim  wolf  —  on  him  his  shaggy  foe 
Vindictive  fix,  and  let  the  rufiian  die  ; 
Or,  growling  liorrid,  as  the  brindled  boar 
Grins  fell  destruction,  to  the  monster's  heart 
Let  the  dart  lighten  from  the  nervous  arm. 

These  Britain  knows  not  ;  give,  ye  Britons,  then 
Your  sportive  fury,  pitiless,  to  pour 
Loose  on  the  nightly  robber  of  the  fold  : 
Him,  from  his  craggy  winding  haunts  unearthed, 
Let  all  the  thunder  of  the  chase  pursue. 
Tlirow  the  broad  ditch  behind  you  ;  o'er  the  hedge 
High-bound,  resistless  ;  nor  the  deep  morass 
Refuse,  but  through  the  shaking  wilderness 
Pick  your  nice  way  ;  into  the  perilous  flood 
Bear  fearless,  of  the  raging  instinct  full  — 
And  as  you  ride  the  torrent,  to  the  banks 
Your  triumph  sound  sonorous,  running  round. 
From  i-(K'k  to  rock,  in  circling  echoes  tossed  ; 
Then  scale  the  mountains  to  their  woody  tops  ; 
Rush  down  the  dangerous  steep  ;  and  o'er  the  lawi. 
In  fancy  swallowing  up  the  space  l)et\veen, 
Pour  all  yours))eed  into  tlie  ra))id  gatne. 
For  nappy  he  who  tops  the  wheeling  chase  ; 


A  UTUMN.  M 

Has  every  maze  evolved,  and  every  guile 
Disclosed  ;  who  knows  the  merits  of  the  pack  ; 
Who  saw  the  villain  seized,  and  dying  hai'd, 
Without  complaint,  though  by  a  hundred  mouths 
Relentless  torn  :  oh  glorious  he,  beyond 
His  daring  peeis  !   when  the  retreating  horn 
Calls  them  to  ghostly  halls  of  gray  renown. 
With  woodland  honors  graced  ;  tlie  fox's  fur, 
Def>ending  decent  from  thj  roof  ;  and  spread 
Round  the  drear  walls,  with  antic  figures  fierce, 
The  stag's  large  front  :  he  then  is  loudest  heard, 
When  the  night  staggers  witli  severer  toils, 
With  feats  Thessalian  Centaurs  never  knew, 
And  their  repeated  wonders  shake  the  dome. 
But  first  the  fueled  chimney  blazes  wade  ; 
The  tankards  foam  ;  and  the  strong  table  groans 
Beneath  the  smoking  sirloin,  stretched  immense 
From  side  to  side  ;  in  which,  with  desperate  knife^ 
They  deep  incision  make,  and  talk  the  while 
Of  England's  glory,  ne'er  to  be  defaced 
While  hence  they  borrow  vigor  :  or  amain 
Into  the  pasty  plunged,  at  intervals. 
If  stomach  keen  can  intervals  allow. 
Relating  all  the  glories  of  the  chase. 
Then  sated  hunger  bids  his  brother  thirst 
Produce  the  mighty  bowl  ;  the  mighty  bowl. 
Swelled  high  with  fiery  juice,  steams  liberal  round 
A  potent  gale,  delicious  as  the  breath 
Of  Maia  to  the  love-sick  shepherdess. 
On  violets  diffused,  while  soft  she  hears 
Her  panting  shepherd  stealing  to  her  arms. 
Nor  wanting  is  the  brown  October,  drawn, 
Mature  and  perfect,  from  his  dark  retreat 
Of  thirty  years  ;  and  now  his  honest  front 
Plames  in  the  light  refulgent,  not  afraid 
Even  with  the  vineyard's  best  proddce  to  vie. 
To  cheat  the  thirsty  moments,  whist  a  while 
Walks  his  grave  round,  beneath  a  cloud  of  smoke, 
Wreathed  fragrant  from  the  pipe  ;  or  the  quick  dice, 
In  thunder  leaping  from  the  box,  awake 


100  A  utumn: 

The  sounding  gammon  :  wliile  romp-loving  miss 
Is  hauled  about,  in  gallantry  robust. 
At  last  these  puling  idlenesses  laid 
Aside,  frequent  and  full,  the  dry  divan 
Close  in  firm  circle  ;  and  set,  ardent,  in 
For  serious  drinking.     Nor  evasion  sly, 
Nor  sober  shift,  is  to  the  puking  wretch 
Indulged  apart  ;    but  earnest,  brimming  bowls 
Lave  every  soul,  the  table  floating  round, 
And  pavement,  faithless  to  the  fuddled  foot. 
Thus  as  they  swim  in  mutual  swill,  the  talk, 
Vociferous  at  once  from  twenty  tongues. 
Reels  fast  from  theme  to  theme  ;  from  horses,  hounda 
To  church  or  mistress,  politics  or  ghost. 
In  endless  mazes,  intricate,  perplexed. 
Meantime,  with  sudden  interruption,  loud, 
The  impatient  catch  bursts  from  the  joyous  heart  : 
That  moment,  touched  is  each  congenial  soul  ; 
And,  opening  in  a  full-mouthed  cry  of  joy, 
The  Iaugh_  the  slap,  the  jocund  curse  go  round  ; 
While,  from  their  slumbers  shook,  the  kenneled  hounds 
Mix  in  the  music  of  the  day  again. 
As  when  the  tempest,  that  has  vexed  the  deep 
The  dark  night  long,  with  fainter  murmurs  falls  ; 
So  gradual  sinks  their  mirth.     Their  feeble  tongues 
Unable  to  take  up  the  cumbrous  word. 
Lie  quite  dissolved.     Before  their  maudlin  eyes, 
See*  dim,  and  blue,  the  double  tapers  dance, 
Like  the  sun  wading  through  the  misty  sky. 
Then,  sliding  soft,  they  drop.     Confused  above 
Glasses  and  bottles,  pipes  and  gazetteers. 
As  if  the  table  even  itself  was  drunk, 
Lie  a  wet  broken  scene  ;  and  Avide,  below, 
Is  heaped  the  social  slaughter — where  astride 
The  lubber  powt  r  in  filthy  triumph  sits. 
Slumbrous,  inclining  still  from  side  to  side. 
And  steeps  them  drenched  in  potent  sleej)  till  morn, 
Perhaps  some  doctor,  of  tremendous  ])auii('h, 
Awful  and  deep,  a  black  abyss  of  drink, 
Outlives  thein  all  ;  and  from  his  buried  flock 


A  UTUMff.  lot 

Retiring,  full  of  rumination  sad, 

lyunients  the  weakness  of  these  latter  times. 

But  if  the  rougher  sex  by  this  fierce  sport- 
Is  hurried  wild,  let  not  such  horrid  joy 
E'er  stain  the  bosom  of  the  British  fair. 
Far  be  the  spirit  of  the  chase  from  them  ! 
Uncomely  courage,  unbeseeming  skill. 
To  spring  the  fence,  to  rein  the  prancing  steed  — 
The  cap,  the  whip,  the  masculine  attire. 
In  which  they  roughen  to  the  sense,  and  all 
The  winning  softness  of  their  sex  is  lost. 
In  them  'tis  graceful  to  dissolve  at  woe  ; 
With  every  motion,  every  word,  to  wave 
Quick  o'er  the  kindling  cheek  the  ready  blush  ; 
And  from  the  smallest  violence  to  shrink. 
Unequal,  then  the  loveliest  in  their  fears  — 
And  by  this  silent  adulation,  soft, 
To  their  protection  more  engaging  man. 
Oh  may  their  eyes  no  miserable  sight, 
Save  weeping  lovers,  see  !  a  nobler  game. 
Through  love's  enchanting  wiles  pursued,  yet  fled. 
In  chase  ambiguous.     May  their  tender  limbs 
Float  in  the  loose  simplicity  of  dress  ! 
And,  fashioned  all  to  harmony,  alone 
Know  they  to  seize  the  captivated  soul. 
In  rapture  warbled  from  love-breathing  lips  ; 
To  teach  the  lute  to  languish  ;  witli  smooth  step, 
Disclosing  motion  in  its  every  charm, 
To  swim  along,  and  swell  the  mazy  dance  ; 
To  train  the  foliage  o'er  the  snowy  lawn  ; 
To  guide  the  pencil,  turn  the  tuneful  page  ; 
To  lend  new  flavor  to  tlie  fruitful  year. 
And  heighten  Nature's  dainties  ;  in  their  race 
Tc  rea*"  their  gra(;es  into  sc'c<»iid  life  ; 
To  give  society  its  liigliest  taste  ; 
Well-ordered  home,  rnaji's  best  delight  to  make  ; 
And  by  submissive  wisdom,  modest  skill. 
With  every  gentle  care-eluding  art, 
To  raise  the  virtues,  animate  tlic  bliss, 
Even  charm  the  j>ain8  to  sonietliing  more  than  joy^ 


lOa  AUTUMl^. 

And  sweeten  all  the  toils  of  human  life  ; 
This  be  the  female  dignity,  and  praise. 

Ye  swains,  now  hasten  to  the  hazel  bank  ; 
Where,  down  yon  dale,  the  widely-winding  brook 
Falls  hoarse  from  steep  to  steep.     In  close  array, 
Fit  for  the  thickets  and  the  tangling  shrub. 
Ye  virgins,  come.     For  you  their  latest  song 
The  woodlands  raise  ;  the  clustering  nuts  for  you 
The  lover  finds  amid  the  secret  shade  ; 
And,  where  they  burnish  on  the  topmost  bough. 
With  active  vigor  crushes  down  the  tree  ; 
Or  shakes  them  ripe  from  the  resigning  husk, 
A  glossy  shower,  and  of  an  ardent  brown, 
As  are  the  ringlets  of  Melinda's  hair  : 
Melinda,  formed  M'ith  every  graoe  complete. 
Yet  these  neglecting,  above  beauty  wise, 
And  far  transcending  such  a  vulgar  praise. 

Hence  from  the  busy  joy-resounding  fields. 
In  cheerful  error,  let  us  tread  the  maze 
Of  Autumn,  unc(  nfined  ;  and  tasie,  revived, 
The  breath  of  orchard  big  with  bending  fruit. 
Obedient  to  the  breeze  and  beating  ray. 
From  the  deep-loaded  bough  a  mellow  shower 
Incessant  melts  away.     The  juicy  pear 
Lies,  in  a  soft  profusion,  scattered  round. 
A  various  sweetness  swells  the  gentle  race  ; 
By  Nature's  all-refining  hand  prepared. 
Of  tempered  sun,  and  M'ater,  earth,  and  air, 
In  ever-changing  composition  mixed. 
Such,  falling  frequent  through  the  chiller  night, 
The  fragrant  stores,  the  wide  projected  heaps 
Of  apples,  which  the  lusty -handed  year, 
Innumerous,  o'er  the  blushing  orcliard  shakes. 
A  various  s})irit,  fresh,  delicious,  keen, 
Dwells  in  their  gelid  pores  ;    and,  active  point* 
The  ])iercing  cider  for  the  thirsty  tongue  : 
Thy  native  theme,  and  boon  iiispirer  too, 
Phillips,  Pomona's  bard,*  the  se(;<)nd  thou 


♦  John  Pliillips,    the  author  of    Hie  Splendid  Shilling.     The 


A  UTUM.V.  108 

Who  nobly  durst,  in  rhyme-unfettered  verse. 
With  British  freedom  sing  the  British  song  ; 
How,  from  Silurian  vats,  high-sparkling  wines 
Foam  in  transparent  floods  —  some  strung,  to  cheei 
The  wintry  revels  of  the  laboring  hind, 
And  tasteful  some,  to  cool  the  summer  hours. 

In  this  glad  season,  while  his  sweetest  beams 
The  sun  sheds  equal  o'er  the  meekened  day, 
Oh  lose  me  in  the  green  delightful  walks 
Of,  Dodington  !  thy  seat,  serene,  and  }>lain  ; 
Where  simple  Nature  reigns  ;  and  every  view. 
Diffusive,  spreads  the  pure  Dorsetian  downs. 
In  boundless  prospect  —  yonder  shagged  with  wood, 
Here  rich  with  harvest,  and  there  white  with  flocks  ' 
Meantime  the  grandeur  of  thy  lofty  dome, 
Far-splendid,  seizes  on  the  ravished  eye. 
New  beauties  rise  with  each  revolving  day  ; 
New  columns  swell ;  and  still  the  fresh  Spring  finds 
New  plants  to  quicken,  and  new  groves  to  green. 
Full  of  thy  genius  all  !  the  muses'  seat  ; 
Where  in  the  secret  bower,  and  winding  walk, 
For  virtuous  Young  *  and  thee  they  twine  the  bay. 
Here  wandering  oft,  fired  with  the  restless  thirst 
Of  thy  applause,  I  solitary  court 
The  inspiring  breeze  ;  and  meditate  the  book 
Of  Nature,  ever  open  —  aiming  thence, 
Warm  from  the  heart,  to  learn  the  moral  song. 
And,  as  I  steal  along  the  sunny  wall, 
Where  Autumn  basks,  with  fruit  empurpled  deep, 
My  j)leasing  theme  continual  prompts  my  thought  : 
Presents  the  downy  peach  ;  the  shining  plum, 
With  a  fine  bluish  mist  of  animals 
Clouded  ;  the  ruddy  nectarine  ;  and,  dark 
Beneath  his  amj>le  leaf,  the  luscious  fig. 


work   specially  alludcid  to   abovt;  is  his   poem   entitled    Cider, 
written  in  imitation  of  the  (jeorgiai,  and  publislied  in  170(5. 

*  Wlien  this  panegyric  was  piil)IislH;(i,  Young  had  not  yet 
written  the  Night  ThoHtjliLs,  hut  liis  poelieai  rep\itation  WM 
fully  established  by  the  iiatire». 


104  AUTUMN. 

The  vine  too  here  her  curling  tendrils  shoots  ; 
Hangs  out  her  clusters,  glowing  to  the  south  ; 
And  scarcely  wishes  for  a  warmer  sky. 

Turn  we  a  moment  fancy's  rapid  flight 
To  vigorous  soils,  and  climes  of  fail  extent ; 
Where,  by  the  potent  sun  elated  high, 
The  vineyard  swells  refulgent  on  the  day  ; 
Spreads  o'er  the  vale  ;  or  up  the  mountain  climbs. 
Profuse  ;  and  drinks  am:d  the  sunny  rocks, 
From  cliff  to  cliff  increase"!,  the  heightened  blaze. 
Low  bend  the  weighty  boughs.     The  clusters  clear 
Half  through  the  foliage  seen,  or  ardent  flame, 
Or  shine  transparent  ;  while  perfection  breathes 
White  o'er  the  turgent  film  the  living  dew, 
As  thus  they  brighten  with  exalted  juice. 
Touched  into  flavor  by  the  mingling  ray, 
The  rural  youth  and  virgins  o'er  the  field. 
Each  fond  for  each  to  cull  the  autumral  prime, 
Exulting  rove,  and  speck  the  vintage  nigh. 
Then  comes  the  crushing  swain  ;  the  country  floats^ 
And  foams  unbounded  with  the  mashy  flood  ; 
That  by  degrees  fermented,  and  refined, 
Round  the  raised  nations  pours  the  cup  of  joy : 
The  claret  smooth,  red  as  the  lip  we  press 
In  sparkling  fancy,  while  we  drain  the  bowl ; 
The  mellow-tasted  burgundy  ;  and,  quick 
As  is  the  wit  it  gives,  the  gay  champagne. 

Now,  by  the  cool  declining  year  condensed, 
Descend  the  copious  exhalations,  checked 
As  up  the  middle  sky  unseen  they  stole. 
And  roll  the  doubling  fogs  around  the  hill. 
No  more  the  mountain,  horrid,  vast,  sublime, 
Who  ])onrs  a  sweep  of  rivers  from  his  sides, 
And  high  between  contending  kingdoms  rear* 
The  rocky  long  division,  fills  the  view 
With  great  variety  ;  but  in  a  night 
Of  gathering  vapor,  from  the  balHed  sense, 
Sinks  dark  and  dreary.     Thence  expanding  far, 
The  huge  dusk,  gradual,  swallows  up  the  plain. 
Vanish  the  woods.     The  dim-seen  river  seemi 


A  UTUMff.  101 

Sullen,  and  slow,  to  roll  the  misty  wave. 
Even  in  the  height  of  noon  oppressed,  the  sun 
Sheds  weak,  and  blunt,  his  wide-refracted  ray  ; 
Whence  glaring  oft,  with  many  a  broadened  orb, 
He  frights  the  nations.     Indistinct  on  earth, 
See  through  the  turbid  air,  beyond  the  life 
Objects  appear  —  and,  wildered,  o'er  the  waste 
The  shepherd  stalks  gigantic  ;  till  at  last 
Wreathed  dun  around,  in  deeper  circles  still 
Successive  closing,  sits  the  general  fog 
Unbounded  o'er  the  world  —  and,  mingling  thick, 
A  formless  gray  confusion  covers  all  : 
As  when  of  old  (so  sung  the  Hebrew  bard) 
Light,  uncollected,  through  the  chaos  urged 
Its  infant  way  ;  nor  order  yet  had  drawn 
His  lovely  train  from  out  the  dubious  gloom. 

These  roving  mists,  that  constant  now  begin 
To  smoke  along  the  hilly  country,  these. 
With  weighty  rains,  and  melted  Alpine  snows, 
The  mountain-cisterns  fill,  those  ample  stores 
Of  water,  scooped  among  the  hollow  rocks  ; 
Whence   gush   the  streams,  the   ceaseless   fountaim 

play. 
And  there  unfailing  wealth  the  rivers  draw. 
Some  sages  say,  that,  where  the  numerous  wave, 
Forever  lashes  the  resounding  shore. 
Drilled  through  the  sandy  stratum,  every  way, 
The  waters  with  the  sandy  stratum  rise  ; 
Amid  whose  angles  infinitely  strained. 
They  joyful  leave  their  jaggy  salts  behind, 
And  clear  and  sweeten  as  they  soak  along. 
Nor  stops  the  restless  fiuid,  mounting  still, 
Though  oft  amidst  the  irriguous  vale  it  springs  ; 
But  to  the  mountain  courte<l  by  the  sand. 
That  leads  its  darkling  on  in  faithful  maze. 
Far  from  the  parent  main,  it  boils  again 
Fresh  into  day  — and  all  tlie  glittering  hill 
Is  bright  with  spouting  rills.      Hut  hence  this  vaia 
Amusive  dream  !  why  should  the  waters  love 
Tu  lake  so  far  a  journey  to  the  hills, 


When  the  sweet  valleys  offer  to  their  toil 

Inviting  quiet,  and  a  nearer  bed  ? 

Or  if,  by  blind  ambition  led  astray, 

They  must  aspire,  why  should  they  sudden  stop 

Among  the  broken  mountain's  rushy  dells, 

And,  ere  they  gain  its  highest  peak,  desert 

The   attractive  sand   that   charmed   their   course  so 

long  ? 
Besides  the  hard  agglomerating  salts, 
The  spoil  of  ages,  would  impervious  choke 
Their  secret  channels  ;  or,  by  slow  degrees. 
High  as  the  hills  protrude  the  swelling  vales  : 
Old  ocean  too,  sucked  through  the  porous  globe. 
Had  long  ere  now  forsook  his  horrid  bed. 
And  brought  Deucalion's  watery  times  again. 
Say  then,  where  lurk  the  vast  eternal  springs, 
That,  like  creating  Nature,  lie  concealed 
From  mortal  eye,  yet  with  their  lavish  stores 
Refresh  the  globe,  and  all  its  joyous  tribes  ? 
Oh  thou  pervading  genius,  given  to  man. 
To  trace  the  secrets  of  the  dark  abyss. 
Oh  lay  the  mountains  bare  ;  and  wide  display 
Their  hidden  structure  to  the  astonished  view  ! 
Strip  from  the  branching  Alps  their  piny  load 
The  huge  incumbrance  of  horrific  woods 
From  Asian  Taurus,  from  Imatis  stretched 
Athwart  the  roving  Tartar's  sullen  bounds  ; 
Give  opening  Haemus  to  my  searching  eye. 
And  high  Olympus  pouring  many  a  stream  ! 
Oh,  from  the  sounding  summits  of  tlie  north, 
The  Dofrine  Hills,  through  Scandinavia  rolled 
To  furthest  Lapland  and  the  frozen  main  ; 
From  lofty  Caucasus,  far-seen  by  those 
Who  in  the  Caspian  and  black  Euxine  toil  ; 
From  cold  Riphean  rocks,  which  the  wild  Russ 
Believes  the  stony  girdle  *  of  the  world  : 

*  The  Muscovites  call  the  Riphean  Mountains  Wdiki 
Camenypoys,  that  is,  the  great  utony  girdle :  because  they  suppose 
them  to  encompass  the  whole  earth. 


AUTUMN.  107 

And  all  the  dreadful  mountains,  wrapt  in  storm, 

Whence  wide  Siberia  draws  her  lonely  floods 

Oh  sweep  the  eternal  snows  !  Hiintx  o'er  the  deepj 

That  ever  works  beneath  his  sounding  haso, 

Bid  Atlas,  propping  heaven,  as  ])oets  feign, 

His  subterranean  wonders  spread  ;  unveil 

The  miny  caverns,  blazing  on  the  day, 

Of  Abyssinia's  cloud-compelling  clifl's, 

AjhI  of  the  bending  mountain^  of  the  Moon  ;  * 

O'ertopping  all  these  giant-sons  of  earth, 

Let  the  dire  Andes,  from  the  radiant  Line 

Stretched  to  the  stormy  seas  that  thunder  round 

The  southern  pole,  their  hideous  deeps  unfold  ! 

Amazing  scene  !  Behold  !  the  glooms  disclose  • 

I  see  the  rivers  in  their  infant  beds  ; 

Deep,  deep  I  hear  them,  laboring  to  get  free. 

I  see  the  leaning  strata,  artful  ranged  ; 

The  gaping  fissures  to  receive  the  rains, 

The  melting  snows,  and  ever-dropping  fogs. 

Strewed  bibulous  above  I  see  the  sands. 

The  pebbly  gravel  next,  the  layers  then 

Of  mingled  molds,  of  more  retentive  earths, 

The  guttered  rocks  and  mazy-running  clefts  ; 

That,  while  the  stealing  moisture  they  transmit, 

Retard  its  motion,  and  for])id  its  waste. 

Beneath  the  incessant  weeping  of  '.'ijse  drains, 

I  see  the  rocky  siphons  stretched  '.):i;;ieuse. 

The  mighty  reservoirs,  of  hardened  chalk, 

Or  stiff  compacted  clay,  capacious  formed. 

O'erllowing  thence,  the  congregated  stores, 

The  crystal  treasures  of  the  liquid  worhl, 

Through  the  stirred  sands  a  bubbling  j)assage  burst  ; 

And  welling  out,  around  the  iniihllc^  stec^p, 

Or  from  the  bottoms  of  the  l)osomi'd  hills, 

In  pure  effusion  flow.      United,  thus, 

The  exhaling  sun,  the  vapor-burdened  air, 

The  gelid  mountains,  that  to  rain  condensed 


•■  A  ninne  of  mountains   in   Africa,    that  surroinideil  ahuost 
Moiioniotapa. 


108  AUTUM^r. 

These  vapors  in  continual  current  draw, 
And  send  them,  o'er  the  fair-divided  earth, 
In  bounteous  rivers  to  the  deep  again, 
A  social  commerce  hold,  and  firm  support 
The  full- adjusted  harmony  of  things. 

When  Autumn  scatters  his  departing  gleams, 
Warned  of  approaching  Winter,  gathered,  play 
The  swallow-peop/e  ;  and  tossed  wide  around, 
O'er  the  calm  sky,  in  convolution  swift. 
The  feathered  eddy  floats  :  rejoicing  once, 
Ere  to  their  wintry  slumbers  they  retire  ^ 
In  clusters  clung,  beneath  the  moldering  bank. 
And  where,  un pierced  by  frost,  the  cavern  sweats. 
Or  rather  into  warmer  climes  conveyed, 
With  other  kindred  birds  of  season,  there 
They  twitter  cheerful,  till  the  vernal  months 
Invite  them  welcome  back  ;  for,  thronging,  now 
Innumerous  wings  are  in  commotion  all. 

Where  the  Rhine  loses  his  majestic  force 
In  Belgian  plains,  won  from  the  raging  deep 
By  diligence  amazing,  and  the  strong 
Unconquerable  hand  of  liberty. 
The  stork -assembly  meets  ;  for  many  a  day, 
Consulting  deep,  and  various,  ere  they  take 
Their  arduous  voyage  through  the  liquid  sky. 
And  now  their  route  designed,  their  leaders  chose, 
Their  tribes  adjusted,  cleaned  their  vigorous  wings 
And  many  a  circle,  many  a  short  essay. 
Wheeled  round  and  round  —  in  congregation  full 
The  figured  flight  ascends  ;  and,  riding  high 
The  aerial  billows,  mixes  with  the  clouds. 

Or  where  the  Northern  ocean,  in  vast  whirli. 
Boils  round  the  naked  melancholy  isles 
Of  furthest  Thulfe,  and  the  Atlantic  surge 
Pours  in  among  the  stormy  Hebrides  — 
Who  can  recount  what  transmigrations  there 
Are  annual  made?  what  nations  come  and  go? 
And  how  the  living  clouds  on  clouds  arise? 
Infinite  wings  !  till  all  the  plume-dark  air, 
And  rude  resounding  shore,  are  one  wild  cry 


AUTUMJf.  106 

Here  the  plain  harmless  native  his  small  flock, 
And  herd  diminutive  of  many  hues, 
Tends  on  the  little  island's  verdant  swell, 
The  shepherd's  sea-girt  reign  ;  or,  to  the  rocks 
Dire-clinging,  gathers  his  ovarious  food  ; 
Or  sweeps  the  fishy  shore  ;  or  treasures  up 
The  plumage,  rising  full,  to  form  the  bed 
Of  luxury.     And  here  awhile  the  muse, 
High  hovering  o'or  the  broad  cerulean  scene. 
Sees  Caledonia,  in  romantic  view  : 
Her  airy  mountains,  from  the  waving  main, 
Invested  with  a  keen  diffusive  sky, 
Breathing  the  soul  acute  ;  her  forests  huge, 
Incult,  robust,  and  tall,  by  Nature's  hand 
Planted  of  old  ;  her  azure  lakes  between. 
Poured  out  extensive,  and  of  watery  wealth 
Full  ;  winding  deep,  and  green,  her  fertile  vales  — 
With  many  a  cool  translucent  brimming  flood 
Washed  lovely,  from  the  Tweed  (pure  parent  stream 
Whose  pastoral  banks  first  lieard  my  Doric  reed. 
With,  sylvan  Jed,  thy  tributary  brook) 
To  where  the  north-inflated  tempest  foams 
O'er  Orca's*  or  Berubium'sf  highest  peak. 
Nurse  of  a  people,  in  misfortune's  school 
Trained  up  to  hardy  deeds  ;  soon  visited 
By  learning,  when  before  the  Gothic  rage 
She  took  her  western  fliglit.     A  manly  race. 
Of  unsubmitting  spirit,  wise  and  bnive  ; 
Who  still  through  bleeding  ages  struggled  hard 
(As  well  unhappy  Wallace  can  attest, 
Great  patriot  hero  !  ill-requited  chief  !) 
To  hold  a  generous  undiminished  state  — 
Too  much  in  vain  !    Hence  of  unequal  bounds 
Impatient,  and  by  temjjting  glory  borne 
O'er  every  land,  foi  every  land  tlieir  life 
Has  flowed  profuse,  their  piercing  genius  planned, 
And  swelled  the  pomp  ot  j)eace  tlieii  faithful  toil  : 


*  The  Orkneys. 

\  A  promontory  in  Scotland,  called  the  Cape  of  St.  Andrew 


11#  AVtUMJ^. 

As  from  their  own  clear  north,  in  radiant  fitreamfl^ 
Bright  over  Europe  bursts  the  Boreal  morn. 

Oh  !  is  there  not  some  patriot,  in  whose  power 
That  best,  that  godlike  luxury  is  placed, 
Of  blessing  thousands,  thousands  yet  unborn, 
'llirough  late  posterity  ?  some,  large  of  soul, 
To  cheer  dejected  industry,  to  give 
A  double  harvest  to  the  pining  swain, 
And  teach  the  laboring  hand  the  sweets  of  toil  f 
How,  by  the  finest  art,  the  native  robe 
To  weave  ;  how,  white  as  hyperborean  snow, 
'i^o  form  the  lucid  lawn  ;  with  venturous  oar 
How  to  dash  wide  the  billow  ;  nor  look  on, 
Shamefully  passive,  while  Batavian  fleets 
Defraud  us  of  the  glittering  finny  swarms, 
That  heave  our  friths,  and  crowd  upon  our  shores  ; 
Mow  all-enlivening  trade  to  rouse,  and  wing 
The  prosperous  sail,  from  every  growing  port, 
Uninjured,  round  the  sea-encircled  globe  ; 
And  thus,  in  soul  united  as  in  name, 
Bid  Britain  reign  the  mistress  of  the  deep  ? 

Yes,  there  are  such.     And  full  on  thee,  Argyle,* 
Her  hope,  her  stay,  her  darling,  and  her  boast. 
From  her  first  patriots  and  her  heroes  sprung. 
Thy  fond-imploring  country  turns  her  eye  ; 
In  thee,  with  all  a  mothei''s  trium})h,  sees 
Her  every  virtue,  every  grace  combined. 
Her  genius,  wisdom,  her  engaging  turn. 
Her  pride  of  honor,  and  her  courage  tried. 
Calm,  and  intrepid,  in  the  very  throat 
Of  sulphurous  war,  on  Taisniere's  dreadful  field. 
Nor  less  the  palm  of  peace  in  wreathes  thy  brow  : 
For,  powerful  as  thy  sword,  from  thy  rich  tongue 
Persuasion  flows,  and  vfins  the  high  debate  ; 
While  mixed  in  thee  combine  the  charm  of  youth, 
The  force  of  manhood,  and  the  deptli  of  age. 

*  .lolin,  Duke  of  Argyle,  raiswl  to  tlie  Britislj  peerage  by 
QiKiC'ii  Amu'.  and  created  Duke  of  Greenwich  by  George  I., 
WIS  l)orn  in  1678.  He  served  under  Marlborough  in  Flaudert, 
and  was  present  at  ail  the  great  battlesw 


AUTUMN.  Ill 

Thee,  Forbes,  f  too,  whom  every  worth  attends, 
As  truth  sincere,  as  weeping  friendship  kind  — • 
Thee,  truly  generous,  and  in  silence  great, 
Thy  country  feels  through  her  reviving  arts. 
Planned  by  thy  wisdom,  by  thy  soul  informed  ; 
And  seldom  has  she  known  a  friend  like  thee. 

But  see  the  fading  many-colored  woods. 
Shade  deepening  over  shade,  the  country  round 
Irabrown  :  a  crowded  umbrage,  dusk,  and  dun, 
Of  every  hue  from  wan  declining  green 
To  sooty  dark.     These  now  the  lonesome  muse. 
Low-whispering,  lead  mto  their  leaf-strown  walks ; 
And  give  the  Season  in  its  latest  view. 
Meantime,  light-shadowing  all,  a  sober  calm 
Fleeces  unbounded  ether  ;  whose  least  wave 
Stands  tremulous,  uncertain  where  to  turn 
The  gentle  current :  while,  illumined  wide, 
The  dewy-skirted  clouds  imbibe  the  sun, 
And  through  their  lucid  veil  his  softened  force 
Shed  o'er  the  peaceful  world.     Then  is  the  time 
For  those  whom  wisdom  and  whom  nature  charm 
To  steal  themselves  from  the  degenerate  crowd. 
And  soar  above  this  little  scene  of  things ; 
To  tread  low-thoughted  vice  beneath  their  feet, 
To  soothe  the  throbbing  passions  into  peace, 
And  woo  lone  quiet  in  her  silent  walks. 

Thus  solitary,  and  in  pensive  guise. 
Oft  let  me  wander  o'er  the  russet  mead. 
And  through  the   saddened   grove,    where   scarce   ii 

heard 
One  dying  strain  to  cheer  the  woodman's  toil. 
Haply  some  widowed  songster  pours  his  plaint, 
Far,  in  faint  warblings,  through  the  tawny  copse; 
While  congregated  thrushes,  liiniets,  iai'ks, 
And  each  wild  throat,  whose  aillrss  strains  so  late 
Swelled  all  the  music  of  the  swarming  shades, 

f  Diincau  Forbes,  of  Culloden,  the  personal  friend  of  Thom- 
son. He  was  born  in  1685.  and  in  17:37  advanced  to  the  dignity 
of  bord  Prosideat  of  the  Court  of  Se.s.si(Hi. 


lit  A  UTUMN. 

Robbed  of  their  tuneful  souls,  now  shivering  sit 
On  the  dead  tree,  a  dull  despondent  flock  ! 
With  not  a  brightness  Avaving  o'er  their  plumes, 
And  naught  save  chattering  discord  in  their  note 
Oh  let  not,  aimed  from  inhuman  eye. 
The  gun  the  music  of  the  coming  year 
Destroy  ;  and  harmless,  unsuspecting  harm, 
Lay  the  weak  tribes,  a  miserable  prey. 
In  mingled  murder,  fluttering  on  the  ground  1 

The  pale  descending  year,  yet  pleasing  still, 
A  gentler  mood  inspires  ;  for  now  the  leaf 
Incessant  rustles  from  the  mournful  grove  — 
Oft  startling  such  as,  studious,  walk  below, 
And  slowly  circles  through  the  waving  air. 
But  should  a  quicker  breeze  amid  the  boughs 
Sob,  o'er  the  sky  the  leafy  deluge  streams  ; 
Till  choked,  and  matted  with  the  dreary  shower, 
The  forest-walks,  at  every  rising  gale, 
Roll  wide  the  withered  waste,  and  whistle  bleak. 
Fled  is  the  blasted  verdure  of  the  fields  ; 
And,  shrunk  into  their  beds,  the  flowery  race 
Their  sunny  robes  resign.     Even  what  remained 
Of  bolder  fruits  falls  from  the  naked  tree  ; 
And  woods,  fields,  gardens,  orchards,  all  around 
The  desolated  prospect  thrills  the  soul. 

He  comes  !  he  comes  !  in  every  breeze  the  powef 
Of  philosophic  melancholy  comes  ! 
His  near  approach  the  sudden-starting  tear, 
The  glowing  cheek,  the  mild  dejected  air. 
The  softened  feature,  and  the  beating  heart. 
Pierced  deep  with  many  a  virtuous  pang,  declare. 
O'er  all  the  soul  his  sacred  influence  breathes  ; 
Inflames  imagination  ;  through  the  breast 
Infuses  every  tenderness  ;  and  far 
Beyond  dim  earth  exalts  the  swelling  thought. 
Ten  thousand  thousand  fleet  ideas,  such 
As  never  mingled  with  the  vulgar  dream. 
Crowd  fast  into  the  mind's  creative  eye. 
As  fast  the  correspondent  passions  rise, 
As  varied,  and  as  high  :  devotion  raised 


AUTUMN".  lift 

To  rapture,  and  divine  astonishment ; 

The  love  of  Nature  unconfined,  and,  chief, 

Of  human  race  ;  the  large  ambitious  wish, 

To  make  them  blest  ;  the  sigh  for  suffering  worth, 

Lost  in  obscurity  ;  the  noble  scorn 

Of  tyrant  pride  ;  the  fearless  great  resolve  ; 

The  wonder  which  the  dying  patriot  draws, 

Inspiring  glory  through  remotest  time  ; 

The  awakened  throb  for  virtue,  and  for  fame  ; 

The  sympathies  of  love,  and  friendship  dear  ; 

With  all  the  social  offspring  of  the  heart. 

Oh  !  bear  me  then  to  vast  embowering  shades. 
To  twilight  groves,  and  visionary  vales, 
To  weeping  grottoes,  and  prophetic  glooms  ! 
Where  angel  forms  athwart  the  solemn  dusk 
Tremendous  sweep,  or  seem  to  sweep,  along  ; 
And  voices  more  than  human,  through  the  void 
Deep-sounding,  seize  the  enthusiastic  ear. 

Or  is  this  gloom  too  much  ?  Then  lead,  ye  powen 
That  o'er  the  garden  and  the  rural  seat 
Preside,  which  shining  through  the  cheerful  land 
In  countless  numbers  blest  Britannia  sees. 
Oh  lead  me  to  the  wide-extended  walks. 
The  fair  majestic  paradise  of  8towe  !  * 
Not  Persian  Cyrus  on  Ionia's  shore 
E'er  saw  such  sylvan  scenes  ;  such  various  art 
By  genius  fired,  such  ardent  genius  tamed 
By  cool  judicious  art  —  that,  in  the  strife. 
All-beauteous  Nature  fears  to  be  outdone. 
And  there,  O  Pitt  !  thy  country's  early  boast 
There  let  me  sit  beneath  the  sheltered  slopes, 
Or  in  that  temple  f  where,  in  future  times, 
Thou  well  shalt  merit  a  distinguished  name  ; 
And,  with  thy  converse  blest,  catch  the  last  smiles 
Of  Autumn  beaming  o'er  the  yellow  woods. 
While  there  with  thee  the  enchanted  round  I  walk, 
The  regulated  wild,  gay  fancy  then 

•  The  seat  of  the  Lord  Viscount  Cobliam. 
f  The  Temple  of  Virtue  in  Stowe-gardens. 

8 


m  AUTUMS. 

Will  tread  in  thought  the  groves  of  Attic  land  ; 
Will  from  thy  standard  taste  refine  her  own, 
Correct  her  pencil  to  the  purest  truth 
Of  Nature,  or,  the  unimpassioned  shades 
Forsaking,  raise  it  to  the  human  mind. 
Or  if  hereafter  she,  with  juster  hand. 
Shall  draw  the  tragic  scene,  instruct  her  thou, 
To  mark  the  varied  movements  of  the  heart. 
What  every  decent  character  requires. 
And  every  passion  speaks  —  oh  !  through  her  strain 
Breathe  thy   pathetic  eloquence  !  that  molds 
The  attentive  senate,  charms,  persuades,  exalts. 
Of  honest  zeal  the  indignant  lightning  throws. 
And  shakes  corruption  on  her  venal  throne. 
While  thus  we  talk,  and  through  Elysian  vales 
Delighted  rove,  perhaps  a  sigh  escaj)es  ; 
What  pity,  Cobham,  f  thou  thy  verdant  files 
Of  ordered  trees  shouldst  here  inglorious  range. 
Instead  of  squadrons  flaming  o'er  the  field. 
And  long  embattled  hosts  !  when  tlie  proud  foe. 
The  faithless  vain  disturber  of  mankind. 
Insulting  Gaul,  has  roused  the  world  to  war  ; 
When  keen,  once  more,  within  their  bounds  to  press 
Those  polished  robbers,  those  ambitious  slaves. 
The  British  youth  would  hail  thy  wise  command. 
Thy  tempered  ardor,  and  thy  veteran  skill. 

The  western  sun  withdraws  the  shortened  day  ; 
And  humid  evening,  gliding  o'er  the  sky, 
In  her  chill  progress,  to  the  ground  condensed 
The  vapors  throws.     Where  creeping  waters  ooze. 
Where  marshes  stagnate,  and  where  rivers  wind 
Cluster  the  rolling  fogs,  and  swim  along 
The  dusky-mantled  lawn.     Meanwhile  the  moon, 
Full-orbed,    and     breaking    through     the   scattered 

clouds, 
Shows  her  broad   visage  in  the  crimsoned  east. 
Turned  to  the  sun  direct,  her  spotted  disc. 


f  Most  of  tlio  early  improvements  in  tlie  groiinds  at  Slowe 
vrere  made  by  Sir  Jlicbard  Temple,  afterwards  jLord  Cobham- 


At/TUMJ^.  lift 

Where  mountains  rise,  umbrageous  dales  descend, 

And  caverns  deep,  as  optic  tube  descries, 

A  smaller  earth,  gives  us  his  blaze  again, 

Void  of  its  flame,  and  sheds  a  softer  day. 

Now  through  the  passing  cloud  she  seems  to  stoop, 

Now  up  the  pure  cerulean  rides  sublime. 

Wide  the  pale  deluge  floats,  and  streaming  mild 

O'er  the  skied  mountain  to  the  shadowy  vale. 

While  rocks  and  floods  reflect  the  quivering  gleant. 

The  whole  air  whitens  with  a  boundless  tide 

Of  silv^er  radiance,  trembling  round  the  world. 

But  when  half  blotted  from  the  sky  her  light, 
Fainting,  permits  the  starry  fires  to  burn 
With  keener  luster  through  the  depth  of  heaven  — 
Or  near  extinct  her  deadened  orb  appears. 
And  scarce  appears,  of  sickly  beamless  white  — 
Oft  in  this  season,  silent  from  the  north 
A  blaze  of  meteors  shoots  :  ensweeping  first 
The  lower  skies,  they  all  at  once  converge 
High  to  the  crown  of  heaven,  and  all  at  once 
Relapsing  quick  as  quickly  re-ascend, 
And  mix,  and  thwart,  extinguish,  and  renew  — 
All  ether  coursing  in  a  maze  of  light. 

From  look  to  look,  contagious  through  the  crowd, 
The  panic  runs,  and  into  wondrous  shapes 
The  appearance  throws  :  armies  in  meet  array. 
Thronged  with  aerial  spears,  and  steeds  of  fire  ; 
Till,  the  long  lines  of  full-extended  war 
In  V)leeding  tight  commixed,  the  sanguine  flood 
llolls  a  broad  slaughter  o'er  the  plains  of  heaven. 
As  thus  they  scan  the  visionary  scene, 
On  all  sides  swells  the  superstitious  din. 
Incontinent  ;  and  busy  frenzy  talks 
Of  blood  and  battle  ;  cities  overturned, 
And  late  at  night  in  swallowing  earthquake  sunk. 
Or  hideous  wrapt  in  fierce  ascending  flame  ; 
C)f  sallow  famine,  inundalion,  storm  ; 
Of  pestilence,  an<l  evt.-ry  great  distress  ; 
Empires  sub  versed,  when  ruling  fate  has  struck 
The  unalterable  hour  :  even  Natuie's  self 


116  AUTUMN, 

Is  deemed  to  totter  on  the  brink  of  time. 

Not  so  the  man  of  philosophic  eye, 

And  inspect  sage  ;  the  waving  brightness  he 

Curious  surveys,  inquisitive  to  know 

The  causes,  and  materials,  yet  unfixed. 

Of  this  appearance  beautiful  and  new. 

Now  black,  and  deep,  the  night  begins  to  fall, 
A  shade  immense.     Sunk  in  the  quenching  gloom. 
Magnificent  and  vast,  are  lieaven  and  earth. 
Order  confounded  lies  ;  all  beauty  void  : 
Distinction  lost ;  and  gay  variety 
One  universal  blot :  such  the  fair  power 
Of  light,  to  kindle  and  create  the  whole. 
Drear  is  the  state  of  the  benighted  wretch. 
Who  then,  bewildered,  wanders  through  the  dark, 
Full  of  pal«  fancies,  and  chimeras  huge  ; 
Nor  visited  by  one  directive  ray, 
From  cottage  streaming,  or  from  airy  hall. 
Perhaps,  impatient  as  he  stumbles  on, 
Struck  from  the  root  of  slimy  rushes,  blue 
The  wild -fire  scatters  round,  or  gathered  trails 
A  length  of  flame  deceitful  o'er  the  moss  — 
Whither  decoyed  by  the  fantastic  blaze. 
Now  lost  and  now  renewed,  he  sinks  absorbed, 
Rider  and  horse,  amid  the  miry  gulf  ; 
While  still,  from  day  to  day,  his  pining  wife 
And  plaintive  children  his  return  await, 
In  wild  conjecture  lost.     At  other  times, 
Sent  by  the  better  genius  of  the  night. 
Innoxious  gleaming  on  the  horse's  mane. 
The  meteor  sits  ;  and  shows  the  narrow  path, 
That  winding  leads  through  pits  of  death,  or  else 
Instructs  him  how  to  take  the  dangerous  ford. 

The  lengthened  night  elapsed,  the  morning  shine* 
Serene,  in  all  her  dewy  beauty  bright. 
Unfolding  fair  the  last  autumnal  day. 
And  now  the  mounting  sun  dispels  the  fog  ; 
The  rigid  hoar-frost  melts  before  his  beam  ; 
And  hung  on  every  spray,  on  evury  blade 
Of  grass,  the  myriad  dewdrops  twinkle  round. 


A  UTUM!^.  117 

Ah  see  where  rohbed,  and  murdered  in  that  pit 
Lies  the  still-heaving  hive  !  at  evening  snatched, 
Beneath  the  cloud  ot'  guilt-concealing  night, 
And  fixed  o'er  sulphur  ;  while,  not  dreaming  ill, 
The  happy  people  in  their  waxen  cells, 
Sat  tending  public  cares,  and  planning  schemes 
Of  temperance,  for  Winter  poor  —  rejoiced 
To  mark,  full-flowing  round,  their  copious  stores. 
Sudden  the  dark  oppressive  steam  ascends  ; 
And  used  to  milder  scents,  the  tender  race. 
By  thousands,  tumble  from  their  honeyed  domes, 
Convolved  and  agonizing  in  the  dust. 
And  was  it  then  for  this  you  roamed  tlie  Spring, 
Intent  from  flower  to  flower  ?  for  this  you  toiled 
Ceaseless  the  burning  Summer-heats  away  ? 
For  this  in  Autumn  searched  the  blooming  waste, 
Nor  lost  one  sunny  gleam  ?  for  this  sad  fate  ? 
O  man  !  tyrannic  lord  !  how  long,  how  long, 
Shall  prostrate  Nature  groan  beneath  your  rage, 
Awaiting  renovation  ?  When  obliged. 
Must  you  destroy  ?     Of  their  ambrosial  food 
Can  you  not  borrow  ;  and,  in  just  return. 
Afford  them  shelter  from  the  wintry  winds  ; 
Or,  as  the  sharp  year  pinches,  with  their  own 
Again  regale  them  on  some  smiling  day  ? 
See  where  the  stony  bottom  of  their  town 
Looks  desolate,  and  wild  ;  with  here  and  there 
A  helpless  number,  who  the  ruined  state 
Survive,  lamenting  weak,  cast  out  to  death. 
Thus  a  proud  city,  populous  and  ri(^h. 
Full  of  the  works  of  peace,  and  high  in  joy, 
At  theater  or  feast,  or  sunk  in  sleep, 
(As  late,  Palermo,  was  thy  fate)  is  seized 
I>y  some  dread  earthquake,  and  convulsive  hurled, 
Sheet  from  the  bla(!k  foundation,  stench-involved. 
Into  a  gulf  of  blue  sulphureous  flame. 

Hence  every  harsh(!r  sight  !   for  now  the  day, 
0\m-  heaven  and  earth  diffused,  grows  warm  and  high, 
Iniinite  splendor  !   wide  investing  all. 
How  still  the  breeze  !  save;  what  the  filmy  threadfi 


118  A  UTUMN, 

Of  dew  evaporate  brushes  from  the  plain. 

How  clear  the  cloudless  sky  !  how  deeply  tinged 

With  a  peculiar  blue  !  the  ethereal  arch 

How  swelled  immense  !  amid  whose  azure  throned 

The  radiant  sun  how  gay  !  how  calm  below, 

The  gilded  earth  !  the  harvest-treasures  all 

Now  gathered  in,  beyond  the  reach  of  storms. 

Sure  to  the  swain  ;  the  circling  fence  shut  up  ; 

And  instant  Winter's  utmost  rage  defied  : 

While,  loose  to  festive  joy,  the  country  round 

Laughs  with  the  loud  sincerity  of  mirth, 

Shook  to  the  wind  their  cares.  The  toil-strung  youth, 

By  the  quick  sense  of  music  taught  alone. 

Leaps  wildly  graceful  in  the  lively  dance. 

Her  every  charm  abroad,  the  village-toast, 

Young,  buxom,  warm,  in  native  beauty  rich. 

Darts  not  unmeaning  looks  ;  and  where  her  eye 

Points  an  approving  smile,  Avith  double  force 

The  cudgel  rattles,  and  the  wrestler  twines. 

Age  too  shines  out  ;  and,  garrulous,  recounts 

The  feasts  of  youth.     Thus  they  rejoice  ;  nor  tliink 

That  with  to-raorrow^s  sun  their  annual  toil 

Begins  again  the  never  ceasing-round. 

Oh  !  knew  he  but  his  happiness,  of  men 
The  happiest  he,  who  far  from  public  rage, 
Deep  in  the  vale,  with  a  choice  few  retired. 
Drinks  the  pure  pleasures  of  the  rural  life  ! 
What  though  the  dome  be  wanting;  whose  proud  gate 
Each  morning,  vomits  cut  the  sneaking  crowd 
Of  flatterers  false,  and  in  their  turn  abused  : 
Vile  intercourse  !  What  though  the  glittering  robe, 
Of  every  hue  reflected  life  can  give, 
Or  floating  loose,  or  stift"  with  mazy  gold, 
The  pride  and  gaze  of  fools  !  oppress  him  not  ? 
What  though,  from  utmost  land  and  sea  purveyed, 
For  him  each  rarer  tributary  of  life 
Bleeds  not,  and  his  in.sati.ite  table  heaps 
With  luxury,  and  death  ?  What  thought  his  bowl 
Flames  not  with  costly  juice  ;  nor  sunk  m  beds. 
Of  gay  care,  he  tosses  out  thp  night. 


AUTUMN.  lid 

'  I-  melts  the  thoughtless  hours  in  idle  state? 
W^hat  though  he  knows  not  those  fantastic  joys 
That  still  arause  the  wanton,  still  deceive  ; 
A  face  of  pleasure,  but  a  heart  of  pain  ; 
Their  hollow  moments  undelighted  all  ? 
Sure  peace  is  his  :  a  solid  life,  estranged 
To  disappointment,  and  fallacious  hope  ; 
Rich  in  content,  in  Nature's  bounty  rich, 
111  herbs  and  fruits  ;  whatever  greens  the  Spring 
When  heaven  descends    in    showers,    or  bends  the 

bough 
When  summer  reddens  and  when  Autumn  beams, 
Or  in  the  wintry  glebe  whatever  lies 
Concealed,  and  fattens  with  the  richest  sap  — 
These  are  not  wanting  ;  nor  the  milky  drove 
Luxuriant,  spread  o'er  all  the  lowing  vale  ; 
Nor  bleeting  mountain>  ;  nor  the  chide  of  streamy 
And  hum  of  bees,  inviting  sleep  sincere 
Into  the  guiltless  breast,  beneath  the  shade, 
Or  thrown  at  large  amid  the  fragrant  hay  ; 
Nor  auglit  besides  of  prospect,  grove,  or  song, 
Dim  grottoes,  gleaming  lakes,  and  fountain  clear. 
Here  too  dwells  simj)le  truth  ;  plain  innocence  ; 
Unsullied  beauty  ;  sound  unbroken  youth. 
Patient  of  labor,  with  a  little  pleased  ; 
Health  ever  blooming  ;  unambitious  toil  ; 
Calm  contem))lation,  and  poetic  ease. 

Let  others  brave  the  flood  in  quest  of  gain, 
And  beat,  for  joyless  months,  the  gloomy  wavft 
Lot  such  as  d<;em  it  glory  to  destroy, 
Jtush  into  blood,  the  sack  of  cities  seek  ; 
L'^npierced,  exulting  in  the  widow's  wail. 
The  virgin's  shriek,  and  infant's  trembling  cry. 
Let  some,  far  distant  from  tlieir  native  soil, 
L^rged  or  by  want  or  hardened  avarice, 
Find  other  lands  beneath  another  sun. 
Let  this  through  cities  work  his  eager  way, 
By  legal  outrage  and  established  guile, 
Tlu!  social  sense  extinct  ;  and  that  ferment 
Mid  into  tumult  the  seditious  herd, 


110  AUTUMN. 

Or  melt  them  down  to  slavery.     Let  these 
Insnare  the  wretched  in  the  toils  of  law, 
Fomenting  discord,  and  perplexing  right, 
An  iron  race  !  and  those  of  fairer  front. 
But  equal  inhumanity,  in  courts, 
Delusive  pomp,  and  dark  cabals,  delight  ; 
Wreathe  the  deep  bow,  diffuse  the  lying  smile, 
And  tread  the  weary  labyrinth  of  state. 
While  he,  from  all  the  stormy  passions  free 
That  restless  men  involve,  hears,  and  but  hears, 
At  distance  safe,  the  human  tempest  roar, 
Wrapped   close  in    conscious    peace.     The    fall  of 

kings. 
The  rage  of  nations,  and  the  crush  of  states. 
Move  not  the  man  who,  from  the  world  escaped, 
In  still  retreats,  and  flowery  solitudes. 
To  Nature's  voice  attends,  from  month  to  month, 
And  day  to  day,  through  the  revolving  year; 
Admiring,  sees  her  in  her  every  shape  ; 
Feels  all  her  sweet  emotions  at  his  heart ; 
Takes  what  she  liberal  gives,  nor  thinks  of  more. 
He,  when  young  Spring  protrudes  the  bursting  gems, 
Marks  the  first  bud,  and  sucks  the  heathful  gale 
Into  his  freshened  soul  ;  her  genial  hours 
He  full  enjoys  ;  and  not  a  beauty  blows. 
And  not  an  opening  blossom  breathes,  in  vain. 
In  Summer  he,  beneath  the  living  shade. 
Such  as  o'er  frigid  Tempe  wont  to  wave, 
Or  Haemus  cool,  reads  what  the  muse,  of  these 
Perhaps,  has  in  immortal  numbers  sung  ; 
Or  what  she  dictates  writes  ;  and  oft,  an  eye 
Sliot  round,  rejoices  in  the  vigorous  year. 
When  Autumn's  yellow  luster  gilds  the  world, 
And  tempts  the  sickled  swain  into  the  field. 
Seized  by  the  general  joy,  his  heart  distends 
With  gentle  throes  ;  and,  through  the  tepid  gleams 
Deep  musing,  then  he  best  exerts  liis  song. 
Even  Winter  wild  to  him  is  full  of  bliss, 
"'lie  mighty  tempest,  and  the  hoary  waste, 
Abrupt  and  deep,  stretched  o'er  the  buried  eartb, 


A  UTUMN.  121 

Awake  to  solemn  thought.     At  night  tlie  skies, 

Disclosed,  and  kindled,  by  refining  frost, 

Pour  every  luster  on  the  exalted  eye. 

A  friend,  a  book,  the  stealing  hours  secure, 

And   mark   them    down    for   wisdom.     With   swift 

wing, 
O'er  land  and  sea  iraagmat'on  roams  ; 
Or  truth,  divinely  breaking  on  his  mind. 
Elates  his  being,  and  unfolds  his  powers  ; 
Or  in  his  breast  heroic  virtue  burns. 
The  touch  of  kindred  too  and  love  he  feels  ; 
The  modet^t  eye,  whose  beams  on  his  alone 
Ecstatic  shine  ;  the  little  strong  embrace 
Of  prattling  children,  twined  around  his  neck, 
And  emulous  to  please  him,  calling  forth 
The  fond  parental  soul.     Nor  purpose  gay. 
Amusement,  dance,  or  song,  he  sternly  scorns  ; 
For  happiness  and  true  philosophy 
Are  of  the  social  still,  and  smiling  kind. 
This  is  the  life  which  those  who  fret  in  guilt, 
And  guilty  cities,  never  knew  ;  the  life 
Led  by  primeval  ages,  uncorrupt, 
When  angels  dwelt,  and  God  himself,  with  man  I 

O  Nature  !  all-sufficient  !  over  all  ! 
Enrich  me  with  the  knowledge  of  thy  works  ! 
Snatch  me  to  heaven  ;  the  rolling  wonders  there, 
World  beyond  world,  in  infinite  extent. 
Profusely  scattered  o'er  the  blue  immense. 
Show  me  ;  their  motions,  periods,  and  their  laws. 
Give  me  to  scan  ;  through  the  disclosing  deep 
Light  my  blind  way  :  the  mineral  strata  there  ; 
Thrust,  blooming,  thence  the  vegetable  world  ; 
O'er  that  the  rising  system,  more  complex. 
Of  animals  ;  and  higher  still,  the  mind. 
The  varied  scene  of  qui(!k-comj)oun(l('d  thought, 
And  where  the  mixing  passions  endless  shift  — 
These  ever  open  to  my  ravished  eye  ; 
A  search,  the  Hight  of  lime  can  ne'er  exhaust  ' 
But  if  to  that  une<jual  — if  the  blood, 
In  sluggish  streams  about  my  heart,  forbid 


123  AUTUMN. 

That  best  ambition  —  under  closing  shades, 
Inglorious,  lay  me  by  the  lowly  brook, 
And  whisper  to  my  dreams.     From  thee  begin, 
Dwell  all  on  thee,  with  thee  conclude  my  song  j 
And  let  me  never,  never  stray  from  thee  ! 


WINTER. 

DEDICATION. 
TO  THE  RIGHT  HONORABLE  SIR  SPENCER  COMPTON. 

Sir, — The  author  of  the  followlDg  poem  begs  leave  to  in- 
scribe lliis  his  first  performance,  to  your  name  and  patronage  ; 
unknown  himself,  and  only  introduced  by  the  muse,  he  yet 
ventures  to  approach  you  with  a  modest  cheerfulness  ;  for 
whoever  attempts  to  excel  in  any  generous  art,  though  he 
comes  alone,  and  unregarded  by  the  world,  may  hope  for 
your  notice  and  esteem.  Happy  if  I  can,  in  anj^  degree, 
merit  this  good  fortune  :  as  every  ornament  and  grace  of 
polite  learning  is  yours,  your  single  approbation  will  be  m}' 
fame. 

I  dare  not  indulge  my  heart  by  dwelling  on  your  public 
character  ;  on  that  exalted  honor  and  integrity  which  dis 
tinguish  you  in  that  august  assembly  where  you  preside,  that 
unshaken  loyalty  to  your  sovereign,  that  disinterested  c  )ncern 
for  his  people  which  shine  out,  united,  in  all  your  behavior, 
and  finish  the  patriot.  I  am  conscious  of  my  want  of 
strength  and  skill  for  so  delicate  an  undertaking  ;  and  yet,  as 
the  sliepherd  in  his  cottage  may  feel  and  acknowledge  the 
influence  of  the  sun  with  as  lively  a  gratitude  as  the  great  man 
in  his  palace,  even  I  may  be  allowed  to  publish  my  sense  of 
those  blessings,  which,  from  so  many  powerful  virtues,  are 
derived  to  the  nation  they  adorn. 

I  conclude  with  saying  that  your  fine  discernment  and 
humanity,  in  your  private  eapacity,  are  so  conspicuous  that, 
if  this  address  is  not  received  with  some  indulgence,  it  will  be 
a  severe  conviction  that  what  1  have  written  has  not  the  least 
share  of  merit.  —  L  am,  willi  tiie  profoundest  respect,  sir,  youl 
most  devoted  and  most  faithful  humble  servant, 

James  Thomson. 


WINTER.  128 


PREFACE. 

I  am  neither  ignorant  nor  concerned  how  much  one  may 
suffer  in  the  opinion  of  several  persons  of  great  gravity  and 
character  by  the  study  and  pursuit  of  poetry. 

Altliough  tliere  may  seem  to  be  some  appearance  of  reason  for 
the  present  contempt  of  it.  as  managed  by  tlie  most  part  of  our 
modern  writers,  yet  that  any  man  should,  seriously,  declare 
against  that  divine  art  is  really  amazing.  It  is  declaring 
against  the  most  charming  power  of  imagination,  the  most  ex- 
alting for'ce  of  thought,  the  most  affecting  touch  of  sentiment  ; 
in  a  word,  against  the  very  soul  of  all  learning  and  politeness. 
It  is  affronting  tlie  universal  taste  of  mankind,  and  declaring 
against  what  has  charmed  the  listening  world  from  Mosea 
down  to  Milton.  In  line,  it  is  even  declaring  against  the  sub- 
limest  passages  of  the  inspired  writings  themselves,  and  what 
seems  to  be  the  peculiar  language  of  heaven. 

The  truth  of  the  case  is  this  ;  these  weak-sighted  gentlemen 
cannot  liear  the  strong  light  of  poetr}^  and  the  finer  and  more 
amusing  scene  of  things  it  displays  ;  but  must  those,  therefore, 
whom  heaven  has  blessed  with  the  discerning  eye,  shut  it  to 
keep  them  company  ? 

It  is  pleasant  enough,  however,  to  ol)serve,  frequently,  in 
thesf  enemies  of  poetry,  an  awkward  imitation  of  it.  They 
.sometimes  have  tlieir  Utile  brightnesses,  when  the  opening 
glooms  will  permit.  Nay,  I  have  seen  tlieir  heaviness,  on  some 
occasions,  deign  to  turn  friskish  and  witty,  in  which  they 
make  just  sucii  another  figure  as  ^sop's  ass,  when  he  began 
to  fawn.  To  complete  the  absurdity  they  would,  even  in  their 
efforts  against  poetry,  fain  be  poetical  ;  like  those  gentlemen 
that  reason  with  a  great  deal  of  zeal  and  severity  against  rea- 
son. 

That  there  are  frequent  and  notorious  abuses  of  poetry  is  as 
true  as  that  the  best  things  are  liable  to  that  misfortune  ;  but 
is  there  no  cud  of  that  clamorou.s.  argument  against  the  use  of 
things  from  the  abuse  of  them  ?  And  yet  I  hope  that  no  man, 
who  has  the  least  sense  of  shame  in  him,  will  fall  into  it  after 
the  present  sulphureous  attacker  of  the  stage. 

To  insist  no  further  on  this  head,  let  poetry  once  more  be 
restored  to  her  ancient  truth  and  purity  ;  let  her  be  inspired 
from  heaven  ;  and,  in  return,  her  inci'tise  ascend  thither  ;  let 
her  exchange  her  low,  venal,  trifling  subjects  for  such  as  are 
fair,  useful,  and  magnilicenl  ;  and  let  her  execute  these  so  as 
at  once  to  please,  instruct,  siirjjrise,  and  astonish  ;  and  then, 
of  neces.'-jty,  the  most  inveterate  ignorance  and  prejudice  shall 
be  slr\n;k  ilunib,  and  poets  may  yet  become  the  delight  and 
wonder  of  mankind. 

But   this  liappy  period  is  not  to   be  expected  till  some  long- 


1»4  WINTER. 

wished  illustrious  man,  of  equal  power  and  beneficence,  rise 
on  the  wintry  world  of  letters  ;  one  of  a  genuine  and  unbound- 
ed greatness  and  generosity  of  mind  ;  who,  far  above  all  the 
pomp  and  pride  of  fortune,  scorns  the  little,  addressful  flatter- 
er, pierces  through  the  disguised,  designing  villain,  discounte. 
nances  all  tlie  reigning  fopperies  of  a  tasteless  age,  and  who, 
stretching  his  views  into  late  futurity,  has  the  true  interest  of 
virtue,  learning,  and  mankind  entirely  at  heart .  A  character 
so  nobly  desirable,  that,  to  an  honest  heart,  it  is  almost  incred- 
ible so  few  should  have  the  ambition  to  deserve  it. 

Nothing  can  have  a  belter  influence  towards  the  revival  of 
poetry  than  the  choosing  of  great  and  serious  subjects,  such  as 
at  once  amuse  the  fancy,  enlighten  the  head,  and  warm  the 
heart.  These  give  a  weight  and  dignity  to  the  poem,  nor  is 
the  pleasure,  I  should  say  rapture,  botli  the  writer  and  reader 
feel,  unwarranted  by  reason,  or  followed  by  rejientant  disgust. 
To  be  able  to  write  on  a  dry,  barren  theme,  is  looked  upon  by 
some  as  the  sign  of  a  happy,  fruitful  genius — fruitful  indeed  I 
like  one  of  the  pendent  gardens  of  Chcapside,  watered  every 
morning  by  the  hand  of  the  alderman  himself.  And  what  are 
we  comn:ionly  entertained  with  on  these  occasions,  save  forced, 
uuaflfecting  fancies,  little  glittering  prettynesses,  mixed  turns 
of  wit  and  expression,  which  are  as  widely  dift'er(;nt  from  na- 
tive poetry  as  buffoonery  is  from  the  jierfeetion  of  human 
thinking.  A  genius  fired  with  the  charms  of  truth  and  Nature 
is  tuned  to  a  sublimer  pitch,  and  scorns  to  associate  with  such 
subjects. 

I  cannot  more  emphatically  recommend  this  poetical  ambi- 
tion than  by  the  four  following  lines  from  Mr.  Hill's  poem, 
called  The  Jvdgment  Day,  which  is  a  singular  instance  of  it  :-' 

For  me,  sufQce  it  to  have  taught  my  muse 
The  tuneful  triflings  of  her  tribe  to  shun  ; 

And  raised  her  warmth  such  heavenly  themes  to  choose. 
As,  in  past  ages,  the  best  garlands  won. 

I  know  no  subject  more  elevating,  more  amusing,  more  ready 
to  awake  the  poetical  euthusia.«m,  the  philosophical  reflection 
and  the  moral  senlinient,  than  the  wurks  of  Nature.  Where 
can  we  meet  with  such  variety,  such  beauty,  such  magnifi- 
cence ?  All  that  enlarges  and  transports  the  soul  ?  What 
more  inspiring  than  a  calm,  wi<le  survey  of  them  ?  In  every 
dre.ss  Nature  is  greatly  charming  !  whether  she  puts  on  the 
crimson  robes  of  morning  !  the  strong  effulgence  of  noon  !  the 
sober  suit  of  evening  !  or  the  deep  sables  of  blackness  and 
tempe.-t  !  How  gay  looks  (he  Spring  !  bow  glorious  the  Sum- 
mer !  how  pleasing  the  Autumn!  and  liow  venerable  the 
Winter  !  — But  there  i->  no  thinking  of  these  tilings  without 
breaking  out  into  j)oetry,  which  is,  by  the  by,  a  plain  and 
undeniable  argument  of  their  superior  excellence. 


WINTER.  125 

Por  thie  reason  the  best,  both  ancient  and  modern,  poets 
have  been  passionately  fond  of  retirement  and  solitude.  The 
wild  romantic  country  was  their  deliglit.  And  they  seem 
never  to  have  been  more  happy  than  when.  lost  in  unfrequent- 
ed fields,  far  from  the  little  busy  world,  they  were  at  leisure  to 
meditate,  and  sing  the  works  of  Nature. 

The  Boole  of  Job,  that  noble  and  ancient  poem,  wlich  even 
strikes  .so  forcibly  through  a  manglintr  trnnslution,  is  crowned 
with  a  de.scription  of  the  grand  woik«  of  N.iture,  and  that,  too, 
from  the  mouth  of  their  Almight}'  Author. 

It  was  this  devotion  to  the  works  of  Nature,  tlnit,  in  lii.s 
Georgics,  Inspired  the  rural  Virgil  to  write  so  inimitably  ;  and 
who  can  forbear  joining  with  him  in  this  declaration  of  his, 
which  has  been  the  rapture  of  ages  ? 

Me  vero  primum  dulces  ante  omnia  musa?, 
Quarum  .sacra  fero  ingcnli  perculsus  amore, 
Accipiant  ;  Coilique  vias  et  sidcra  monstrent, 
Defectus  soils  varios,  lun^eque  labores  ; 
Unde  tremor  terris  :  qua  vi  maria  alta  tumcscant 
Objicibus  ruptis,  rursusque  in  se  ipsa  residant  : 
Quid  lantum  oceano  properent  se  tingere  soles 
Hyl)erni  :  vel  quse  tardls  mora  noctibus  obstel 
Sin  has  ne  possim  naturae  accedere  |)artes, 
Frigidiis  obstiterit  circum  piaeconliu  sanguis  . 
Rura  mihi  et  rigui  placeant  in  vallibus  amnek 
Flumina  amem  si'.vasqui'  inglorius. 

Which  may  be  Englished  thus  : 

Me  may  the  muses,  my  supreme  delight ,' 

Whose  priest  I  am,  sniit  with  immense  desire, 

Snatch  to  their  caro  ;  tlu;  stiirry  tracks  diselosr,. 

The  sun's  distri'ss,  tlu;  lal)or  of  the  moon  ; 

Whence  the  earth  quakes  ;  and  by  wiiat  force  the  deep* 

Heave  at  the  rocks,  tiien  on  themselves  retlow. 

Why  wint(.'r-suns  to  plunge  in  ocean  speed  ; 

And  what  retards  the  lazy  suimner-night. 

But,  lest  I  should  the.se  my.stic,  truths  attain, 

If  the  cold  current  freezes  rouiul  my  heart, 

The  country  me,  the  brooky  vales  may  please, 

'Mid  wcjods  and  streams  unknown. 

I  cannot  i)Ut  an  end  to  this  preface;  witlionl  takin;.:^  tiie  fre«- 
doui  to  olTer  my  most  sincere  and  gnitefu!  acknowledgmentH 
to  all  those  gentlcMien  wiio  have;  given  my  first  peif'ormance  so 
favorable  Ji  ief:eplion. 

It  is  witii  the  best  pleasure,  and  a  rising  am  bit  ion  ,  that  I  rellect 
on  tiie  lionor  .Mr.  Hill  hasiione  lue  in  reeDimiiendint;  n)y  poem 
:o  !iie  world  aUvr  a  manner  so  peculiar  to  himself,  tiian  whom 


126  WINTER. 

none  approves  and  obliges  with  a  nobler  and  more  unreserv- 
ing  promptitude  of  soul.  His  favors  are  the  very  smiles  of 
humanity,  graceful  and  easy,  flowinc;  from  and  to  the  heart- 
This  agreeable  train  of  thought  awakens  naturally  in  my  mind 
all  the  other  parts  of  his  great  and  amiable  character,  which  I 
know  not  well  how  to  quit,  and  yet  dare  not  hen;  pursue. 

Every  reader  who  has  a  heart  to  be  moved,  must  feel  the 
most  gentle  power  of  poetry  m  the  lines  with  which  Mira  has 
graced  my  poem. 

It  might  perhaps  be  reckoned  vanity  in  me,  to  say  how  rich- 
ly 1  value  the  approbation  of  a  gentleman  of  Mr.  Mallock's 
fine  and  exact  taste,  so  justly  dear  and  valuable  to  all  those 
that  have  the  happiness  of  knowing  him  ;  and  who,  to  say  no 
more  of  him,  will  abundantly  make  good  to  the  world  the 
early  promise  his  admired  piece  of  TFi7fcm  and  Margaret  has 
given. 

I  only  wish  my  description  of  the  various  appearance  of 
Nature  in  Winter,  and,  as  I  purpose,  in  the  other  Seasons, 
may  have  the  good  fortune  to  give  the  reader  some  of  that 
true  pleasure  which  they,  in  their  agreeable  succession,  are 
always  sure  to  inspire  into  my  heart 

Argument. — The  subject  proposed — Address  to  the  Earl  of 
Wilmington — First  approach  of  Winter — According  to  the 
nattu'al  course  of  the  season,  various  storms  described — Rain 
— Wind — Snow — The  driving  of  the  snows  :  a  man  per'shing 
among  them  ;  whence  reflections  on  the  wants  and  miseries  of 
human  life — The  wolves  descending  from  the  Alps  and  Apen- 
nines— A  winter  evening  described  :  as  spent  by  philosophers  ; 
by  the  country  people  ;  in  tiie  city — Frost — A  view  of  Winter 
within  the  polar  circle — A  thaw — The  whole  concluding  with 
moral  reflections  on  a  future  state. 

See,  Winter  comes,  to  rule  the  varied  year, 

Sullen  and  sad,  with  all  his  rising  train  ; 

Vapors,  and  clouds,  and  storms.  IJe  these  my  theme' 

These,  that  exalt  the  soul  to  solemn  thought, 

And  heavenly  musing.     Welcome,  kindred  glooms  .' 

Congenial  horrors,  hail  !  with  frequent  foot, 

Pleased  have  I,  in  my  cheerful  morn  of  life. 

When  nursed  by  careless  solitude  I  lived. 

And  sung  of  Nature  with  unceasing  joy. 

Pleased  have  I  wandered  through  your  rough  domain  f 

Tro<l  tlie  pure  virgin-snows,  myself  as  pure  ; 

Heard  the  winds  roar,  and  the  big  torrent  burst  ; 

Or  seen  the  deep-fermenting  tempest  brewed 


WINTER.  127 

In  the  grim  evening  sky.     Thus  passed  the  time  ; 
Till  through  the  lucid  chambers  of  the  south 
Looked  out    the    joyous    Spring  —  looked    out   and 
smiled. 

To  thee,  the  patron  of  this  tirst  essay, 
The  muse,  O  Wilmington  !  *  renews  her  song. 
Since  has  she  rounded  the  revolving  year  : 
Skimmed  the  gay  Spring  ;  on  eagle-pinions  borne, 
Attempted  through  the  Summer-blaze  to  rise  ; 
Then  swept  o'er  Autumn  with  the  shadowy  gale  ; 
And  now  among  the  wintry  clouds  again, 
Rolled  in  the  doubling  storm,  she  tries  to  soar  ; 
To  swell  her  note  with  all  the  rushing  winds  ; 
To  suit  her  sounding  cadence  to  the  floods  ; 
As  is  her  theme,  her  numbers  wildly  great : 
Thrice  happy  !  could  she  till  thy  judging  ear 
With  bold  description,  and  with  manly  thought. 
Nor  art  thou  skilled  in  awful  schemes  alone, 
And  how  to  make  a  mighty  people  thrive  : 
But  equal  goodness,  sound  integrity, 
A  firm,  unshaken,  uncorrupted  soul 
Amid  a  sliding  age,  and  burning  strong. 
Not  vainly  blazing,  for  thy  country's  weal  — 
A  steady  spirit,  regularly  free  : 
These,  each  exalting  each,  the  statesman  light 
Into  the  patriot  ;  these,  the  ])ublic  hope 
And  eye  to  thee  converting,  bid  the  muse 
Record  what  envy  dares  not  flattery  call. 

Now  when  the  cheerless  empire  of  the  sky 
To  Capricorn  the  Centaur  Archer  yields, 
And  Herce  Aquarius  stains  the  inverted  year  — 
Hung  o'er  the  furihcst  verge  of  heaven,  the  sun 
Scarce  spreads  o'er  ether  the  dejected  day. 
Faint  are  his  gleams,  and  ineffectual  shoot 
His  struggling  ravs,  in  horizontal  lines, 
Through  the  thick  air  ;  as  clothed  in  cloudy  storm, 
\V<'ak,  wan,  and  broad,  he  skirts  the  southern  sky  ; 

*  Sir  Bf)enc(;r  ComplDii,  iit'tc'isvuids  K;ul  of  Wilmington. 
He  wus  Speaker  of  tlie  Houae  of  Commons  chiriug  ii  part  ot 
the  ministry  of  Walpole. 


136  WINTER. 

And,  soon-aescending,  to  the  long  dark  night. 
Wide-shading  all,  the  piostrate  wc^-ld  resigns. 
Nor  is  the  night  unwished  ;  while  vital  heat, 
Light,  life,  and  joy,  the  dubious  day  forsake. 
Meantime,  in  sable  cincture,  shadows  vast. 
Deep-tinged  and  damp,  and  congregated  clouds. 
And  all  the  vapory  turbulence  of  heaven. 
Involve  the  face  of  things.     Thus  Winter  falls, 
A  heavy  gloom  oppressive  o'er  the  world. 
Through  Nature  shedding  influence  malign, 
And  rouses  up  the  seeds  of  dark  disease. 
The  soul  of  man  dies  in  him,  loathing  life, 
And  black  with  more  than  melancholy  views. 
The  cattle  droop  ;  and  o'er  the  furrowed  land, 
Fresh  from  the  plow,  the  dmi-discolored  flocks, 
Untended  spi-eading,  cro])  the  wholesome  root. 
Along  the  woods,  along  the  moorish  fens, 
Sighs  the  sad  genius  of  the  coming  storm  ; 
And  up  among  the  loose  disjointed  cliifs. 
And  fractured  mountains  wild,  the  brawling  brook 
And  cave,  presageful,  send  a  hollow  moan. 
Resounding  long  in  listening  fancy's  ear. 

Then  conies  the  father  of  the  tempest  forth. 
Wrapt  in  black  glooms.     First,  joyless  rains  obscun 
Drive  through  the  mingling  skies  with  vapor  foul. 
Dash  on  the  mountain's  brow,  and  shake  the  woodf^ 
That  grumbling  wave  below.     The  unsightly  plain 
Lies  a  l^rown  deluge  ;  as  the  low-bent  clouds 
Pour  flood  on  flood,  yet  unexhausted  still 
Combine,  and  deepening  into  night  shut  up 
The  day's  fair  face.     The  wanderers  of  lieaven, 
Each  to  his  home,  retire  ;  save  those  that  love 
To  take  their  ])astime  in  tlie  troubled  air. 
Or  skimming  flutter  round  the  dimply  pool. 
The  cattle  from  the  untasted  fields  return, 
And  ask  with  meaning  low,  their  wonted  stalls, 
Or  ruminate  in  the  contiguous  shade. 
Thither  the  household  t'enlhery  pco]»le  crowd  — 
Tlie  (^rested  cock,  with  all  his  female  train, 
Pensive  and  dripi)ing;  while  llie  c(jttafre  hind 


WINTER.  m 

Hangs  o*er  the  enlivening  blaze,  and  taleful  there 
Recounts  his  simple  frolic  :  much  he  talks, 
And  much  he  laughs,  nor  recks  the  storm  that  blows 
Without,  and  rattles  on  his  humble  roof. 

Wide  o'er  the  brim,  with  many  a  torrent  swelled, 
And  the  mixed  ruin  of  its  banks  o'erspread, 
At  last  the  roused-up  river  pours  along  : 
Resistless,  roaring,  dreadful,  down  it  comes, 
From  the  rude  mountain,  and  the  mossy  Avild, 
Tumbling  through  rocks  abrupt,  and  sounding  far  ; 
Then  o'er  the  sanded  valley  floating  spreads, 
Calm,  sluggisli,  silent  ;  till  again,  constrained 
Between  two  meeting  hills,  it  burst  away. 
Where  rocks  and  woods  o'erhang  the  turbid  stream  — 
There  gathering  triple  force,  rapid  and  deep, 
It  boils,  and  wheels,  and  foams,  and  thunders  through. 

Nature  !  great  parent  !  whose  unceasing  hand 
Rolls  round  the  Seasons  of  the  changeful  year, 
How  mighty,  how  majestic,  are  thy  works  ! 
With  what  a  pleasing  dread  they  swell  the  soul  I 
That  sees  astonished,  and  astonished  sings  ! 
Ye  too,  ye  winds  !  that  now  begin  to  blow, 
With  boisterous  sweep,  I  raise  my  voice  to  you. 
Where  are  your  stores,  ye  powerful  beings  !  say, 
Where  your  aerial  magazines  reserved. 
To  swell  the  brooding  terrors  of  the  storm  : 
In  what  far  distant  region  of  the  sky. 
Hushed  in  deep  silence,  sleep  ye  when  'tis  calm  f 

When  from  the  pallid  sky  tlie  sun  descends, 
With  many  a  sjjot  that  o'er  his  glaring  orb 
I'neertain  wanders,  stained  — red  fiery  streaks 
Jiogin  to  flush  aroun<].     The  I'oeling  clouds 
S;  agger  with  dizzy  ])()isi%  as  doubting  yet 
AVhicli  master  to  obey  ;   wliile  rising  slow, 
l^lank,  in  the  leaden-colored  east,  the  moon 
Wears  a  wan  circh;  round  lier])luntcd  horns. 
Seen  thnjugh  the  turl)id,  fliicl  uating  air. 
Tin;  stars  obtuse  emit  a  shiv(  ring  ray  ; 
Or  frequent  scu-m  to  shoot  at  li wart  the  gloom, 
And  long  behind  them  trail  tlu,'  wliitening  blat«, 

8 


lid  WINTER, 

Snatched  in  short  eddies,  plays  the  withered  le»£ ; 
And  on  the  flood  the  dancing  feather  floats. 
With  broadened  nostrils  to  the  sky  upturned, 
The  conscious  heifer  snuffs  the  stormy  gale. 
Even  as  the  matron,  at  her  nightly  task. 
With  pensive  labor  draws  the  flaxen  thread, 
The  wasted  taper  and  the  crackling  frame 
Foretell  the  blast.     But  chief  the  plumy  race, 
The  tenants  of  the  sky,  its  changes  speak. 
Retiring  from  the  downs,  where  all  day  long 
They  picked  their  scanty  fare,  a  blackening  train 
Of  clamorous  rooks  thick-urge  their  weary  flight, 
And  seek  the  closing  shelter  of  the  grove. 
Assiduous,  in  his  bower,  the  wailing  owl 
Plies  his  sad  song.     The  cormorant  on  high 
Wheels  from  the  deep,  and  screams  along  the  land. 
Loud  shrieks  the  soaring  heron  ;  and  with  wild  wing 
The  circling  sea-fowl  cleave  the  flaky  clouds. 
Ocean,  unequal  pressed,  with  broken  tide 
And  blind  commotion  heaves  ;  while  from  the  shore^ 
Eat  into  caverns  by  the  restless  wave. 
And  forest-rustling  mountains,  comes  a  voice, 
That  solemn  sounding  bids  the  world  prepare. 
Then  issues  forth  the  f.torm  with  sudden  burst, 
And  hurls  the  whole  precipitated  air 
Down  in  a  torrent.     On  the  passive  main 
Descends  the  ethereal  force,  and  with  strong  gust 
Turns  from  its  bottom  tlie  discolored  deep. 
Through  the  black  night  that  sits  immense  around, 
Lashed  into  foam,  the  fierce  conflicting  brine 
Seems  o'er  a  thousand  raging  waves  to  burn. 
Meantime  the  monntain-})il]ows,  to  the  clouds 
\\\  dreadful  tumult  swelled,  surge  above  surge, 
Burst  into  chaos  with  tremendous  roar. 
And  anchored  navies  f  roni  their  stations  drive, 
Wild  as  the  winds  across  the  howliTig  waste 
Of  mighty  waters  :  now  the  inflaled  wave 
Straining  they  scale,  and  now  impetuous  shoot 
Lito  the  secret  chambers  of  the  deep. 
The  wintry  Baltic  thundering  o'er  their  head. 


WINTER.  It! 

Emerging  thence  again,  before  the  breath 

Of  full-exerted  heaven  they  wing  their  course, 

And  dart  on  distant  coast  ;  if  some  sharp  rock, 

Or  shoal  insidious,  break  not  their  career, 

And  in  loose  fragments  fling  them  floating  round. 

Nor  less  at  land  the  loosened  tempest  reigns. 
The  mountain  thunders  ;  and  its  sturdy  sons 
Stoop  to  the  bottom  of  the  rocks  they  phade. 
Lone  on  the  midnight  steep,  and  all  aghast. 
The  dark  wayfaring  stranger  breathless  toils, 
And,  often  falling,  climbs  against  the  blast. 
Low  waves  the  rooted  forest,  vexed,  and  sheds 
What  of  its  tarnished  honors  yet  remain  ; 
Dashed  down,  and  scattered,  by  the  tearing  wind's 
Assiduous  fury,  its  gigantic  limbs. 
Thus  struggling  through  the  dissipated  grove, 
The  whirling  tempest  raves  along  the  plain  ; 
And  on  the  cottage  thatched,  or  lordly  roof. 
Keen-fastening,  shakes  them  to  the  solid  base. 
Sleep  frighted  flies  ;  and  round  the  rocking  dome, 
For  entrance  eager,  howls  the  savage  blast. 
Then  too,  they  say,  through  all  the  burdened  air, 
Long  groans  are   heard,   shrill    sounds,    and  distant 

sighs. 
That,  uttered  by  the  demon  of  the  night. 
Warn  the  devoted  wretch  of  woe  and  death. 

Huge  uproar  lords  it  wide.     The  clouds,  commixed 
With  stars  swift-gliding,  swee})  along  the  iky. 
All  nature  reels  :  till  Nature's  King,  who  oft 
Amid  tempestuous  darkness  dwells  alone, 
And  on  the  wings  of  the  careering  wind 
Walks  dreadfully  serene,  conunands  a  calm  ; 
Then  straight  air,  sea,  and  earth,  are  liushed  at  once. 

As  Tf't  'tis  midnight  deep.     The  weary  clouds. 
Slow-meeting,  mingle  into  solid  gloom. 
Now,  while  the  drowsy  world  lies  lost  in  sleep, 
I*et  me  associate  with  the  serious  night. 
And  contemplation  her  sedate  compeer  ; 
Let  nie  shake  off^  the  intrusive  cares  of  day, 
And  lav  ^e  meddlin<r  senses  all  aside. 


183  WINTER. 

Where  now,  ye  lying  vanities  of  life  ! 
Ye  ever-tempting,  ever-cheating  train  ! 
Where  are  you  now  ?  and  what  is  your  amounts 
Vexation,  disappointment,  and  remorse. 
Sad,  sickening  thought !  and  yet  deluded  man, 
A  scene  of  crude  disjointed  visions  past. 
And  broken  slumbers,  rises  still  resolved, 
With  new-flushed  hopes,  to  run  the  giddy  round. 

Father  of  light  and  life  !  thou  Good  Supreme  ! 
O  teach  me  what  is  good  !  teach  me  Thyself ! 
Save  me  from  folly,  vanity,  and  vice. 
From  every  low  pursuit ;  and  feed  ray  soul 
With  knowledge,  conscious  peace,  and  virtue  pure  -~ 
Sacred,  substantial,  never-fading  bliss  ! 

The  keener  tempests  come  ;  and  fuming  dun 
From  all  the  livid  east,  or  piercing  north, 
Thick  clouds  ascend  —  in  whose  capacious  womb 
A  vapory  deluge  lies,  to  enow  congealed. 
Heavy  they  roll  their  fleecy  world  along  ; 
And  the  sky  saddens  with  the  gathered  storm. 
Through  the   hushed  air   the    whitening  shower  d« 

scends. 
At  first  thin  wavering  ;  till  at  last  the  flakes 
Fall  broad,  and  wide,  and  fast,  dimming  the  day 
With  a  continual  flow.     'J'he  cherished  fields 
Put  on  their  winter-robe  of  purest  white. 
'Tis  brightness  all  ;  save  Avhere  the  new  snow  meltB 
Along  the  mazy  current.     Low,  the  woods 
Bow  their  hoar  head  ;  and,  ere  the  languid  sun 
Faint  from  the  west  emits  his  evening  ray, 
Earth's  universal  face,  deep-hid  and  chill, 
Is  one  wild  dazzling  waste  that  buries  wide 
The  works  of  man.     Drooping,  the  laborer-ox 
Stands  covered  o'er  with  snow,  and  then  demandi 
The  fruit  of  all  his  toil.     The  fowls  of  heaven, 
Tamed  by  the  cruel  season,  crowd  around 
The  winnowing  store,  and  claim  the  little  boon 
Whicli  Providence  assigns  them.     One  alone, 
The  redbreast,  saci-ed  to  the  household  gods. 
Wisely  regardful  of  the  embroiling  sky, 


WINTER.  IN 

In  joyless  fields  and  thorny  thickets  leaves 
His  shivering  mates,  and  pays  to  trusted  man 
His  annual  visit.     Half-afraid,  he  first 
Against  the  window  beats  ;  then,  brisk,  alights 
On  the  warm  hearth  ;  then,  hopping  o'er  the  floor, 
Eyes  all  the  smiling  family  askance, 
And  pecks,  and  starts,  and  wonders  where  he  is  — 
Till,  more  familiar  grown,  the  table-crumbs 
Attract  his  slender  feet.     The  foodless  wilds 
Pour  forth  their  brown  inhabitants.     The  hare, 
Though  timorous  of  heart,  and  hard  beset 
By  death  in  various  forms,  dark  snares,  and  dogs, 
And  more  unpitying  men,  the  garden  seeks, 
Urged  on  by  fearless  want.     The  bleating  kind 
Eye  the  black  heaven,  and  next  the  glistening  earth, 
With  looks  of  dumb  despair  ;  then,  sad  dispersed, 
Dig  for  the  withered  herb  through  heaps  of  snow. 

Now,  shepherds,  to  your  helpless  charge  be  kind  ; 
Baffle  the  raging  year,  and  fill  their  pens 
With  food  at  will  ;  lodge  them  below  the  storm, 
And  watch  them  strict :  for  from  the  bellowing  easti 
In  this  dire  season,  oft  the  whirlwind's  wing 
Sweeps  up  the  burden  of  whole  wintry  plains 
At  one  wide  waft,  and  o'er  the  hapless  fiocks, 
Hid  in  the  hollow  of  two  neighboring  hills. 
The  billowy  tempest  whelms  ;  till,  upward  urged, 
The  valley  to  a  shining  mountain  swells, 
Tipped  with  a  wreath  high-curling  in  the  sky, 

As  thus  the  snows  arise,  and  foul  and  fierce 
All  Winter  drives  along  the  darkened  air, 
In  his  own  loose-revolving  fields  the  swain 
Disastered  stands  ;  sees  other  hills  ascend. 
Of  unknown  joyless  brow  ;  and  other  scenes. 
Of  horrid  prosj)ect,  shag  the  trackless  plain  ; 
Nor  finds  the  river,  nor  the  forest,  hid, 
Beneath  the  formless  wild  ;  but  wanders  on 
From  hill  to  dale,  still  more  an<l  more  astray  — 
impatient  fiouncing  ilirough  the  drifted  heaps, 
Stung    with  the   tlioughts  of  home  ,  the  thoughts  of 
home 


184  WlNT&a. 

Rush  on  his  nerves,  and  call  their  vigor  forth 

In  many  a  vain  attempt.     How  sinks  his  soul ! 

What  black  despair,  what  horror  fills  his  heart  I 

When  for  the  dusky  spot  which  fancy  feigned 

His  tutted  cottage,  rising  through  the  snow, 

tie  meets  the  roughness  of  the  middle  waste, 

Far  from  the  track,  and  blest  abode  of  man  ; 

While  round  him  night  resistless  closes  fast. 

And  every  tempest,  howling  o'er  his  head. 

Renders  the  ravage  wilderness  more  wild. 

Then  throng  the  basy  shapes  into  his  mind, 

Of  covered  pits,  tiiifathomably  deep, 

A  dire  descent !  beyond  the  power  of  frost  ; 

Of  faithless  bogs  ;  of  precipices  huge. 

Smoothed  up  with  snow  ;  and,  what  is  land,  unknown 

What  water,  of  the  still  unfrozen  spring. 

In  the  loose  marsh  or  soiiiary  lake, 

Where  the  fresh  fountaui  from  the  bottom  boils. 

These  check  his  fearful  steps  ,•  and  down  he  sinks 

Beneath  the  shelter  of  the  shapeless  drift. 

Thinking  o'er  all  the  bitterness  of  death, 

Mixed  with  the  tender  anguish  Natuie  shoots 

Through  the  wrung  bosom  of  the  dying  man  — 

His  wife,  his  children,  and  his  friends  unseen. 

In  vain  for  him  the  officious  wife  prepares 

The  fire  fair-blazing,  and  the  vestment  warm, 

In  vain  his  little  children,  peeping  out 

Into  the  mingling  storm,  demand  their  sire. 

With  tears  of  artless  innocence.     Alas  ! 

Nor  wife,  nor  children,  more  shall  he  behold. 

Nor  friends,  nor  sacred  home.     On  every  nerve 

The  deadly  Winter  seizes  ;  shuts  up  sense  ; 

And,  o'er  his  inmost  vitals  creeping  cold, 

Lays  him  along  the  snows  a  stiffened  corse  — 

Stretched  out,  and  bleaching  in  the  northern  blast. 

Ah  !  little  think  the  gay  licentious  proud. 
Whom  pleasure,  power,  affluence,  surround  ; 
They,  who  their  thoughtless  hours  in  giddy  mirth, 
And  wanton,  often  cruel,  not  waste  ; 
Ah  !  little  tlunk  ihcy,  whiie  they  dance  along, 


WINTER.  135 

flow  many  teel  this  very  moment  death, 

And  all  the  sad  variety  of  pain. 

How  many  sink  in  the  devouring  flood, 

Or  mere  devouring  flame.     How  many  bleed, 

By  shameful  variance  betwixt  man  and  man. 

How  many  pme  in  want,  and  dungeon-glooms  ; 

Shut  from,  the  common  air.  and  common  use 

Of  their  own  iimbs.     How  many  drink  the  cup 

Of  baleful  grief,  or  eat  the  bitter  bread 

Of  misery.     Sore  pierced  by  wintry  winds. 

How  many  shrink  into  the  sordid  hut 

Of  cheerless  poverty.     How  many  shake 

With  all  the  fiercer  tortures  of  the  mind. 

Unbounded  passion,  madness,  guilt,  remorse  ; 

Whence  tumbled  headlong  from  the  height  of  life, 

They  furnish  matter  for  the  tragic  muse. 

Even  in  the  vale,  where  wisdom  loves  to  dwell, 

With  friendship,  peace,  and  contemplation  joined, 

How  many,  racked  with  honest  passions,  droop 

In  deep  retired  distress.     How  many  stand 

Around  the  death-bed  of  their  dearest  friends, 

And  point  the  parting  anguish.     Thought  fond  man 

Of  these,  and  all  the  thousand  nameless  ills. 

That  one  incessant  struggle  render  life, 

One  scene  of  toil,  of  suffering,  and  of  fate, 

Nice  in  his  high  career  would  stand  appalled. 

And  heedless  rambling  impulse  learn  to  think  ; 

The  conscious  heart  of  charity  would  warm, 

And  her  wide  wish  benevolence  dilate  ; 

The  social  tear  would  rise,  the  social  sigh  ; 

And  into  clear  perfection,  gradual  bliss. 

Refining  still,  the  social  passions  work. 

And  here  can  I  forget  the  generous  band,  * 
Who,  touched  with  human  woe,  redressive  searched 
Into  the  horrors  of  the  gloomy  jail  ? 
Unpitied,  and  unheard,  where  misery  moans  ; 
Where  sickness  pines  ;  where  thirst  and  hunger  burn, 
And  poor  misfortune  feels  the  lash  of  vice. 


♦  The  Jail  Committee,  in  the  year  17^9. 


136  WINTER. 

While  in  the  land  of  liberty,  the  land 
Whose  evsry  street  and  public  meeting  glow 
With  open  freedom,  little  tyrants  raged  : 
Snatched  the  lean  morsel  from  the  starving  mouth 
Tore  from  cold  wintry  limbs  the  tattered  weed  ; 
Even  robbed  them  of  the  last  of  comforts,  sleep  ; 
The  free-born  Briton  to  the  dungeon  chained, 
Or  as  the  lust  of  cruelty  prevailed, 
At  pleasure  marked  him  with  inglorious  stripes  ; 
And  crushed  out  lives,  by  secret  barbarous  ways, 
That  for  their  country  would  have  toiled,  or  bled. 
O  great  design  !  if  executed  well, 
With  patient  care,  and  wisdom -tempered  zeal. 
Ye  sons  of  mercy  !  yet  resume  the  search  ; 
Drag  forth  the  legal  monsters  into  light. 
Wrench  from  their  hands  oppression's  iron  rod, 
And  bid  the  cruel  feel  the  pains  they  give. 
Much  still  untouched  remains  ;  in  this  rank  age, 
Much  is  the  patriot's  weeding  hand  required. 
The  toils  of  law,  (what  dark  insidious  men 
Have  cumbrous  added  to  perplex  the  truth, 
And  lengthen  simple  justice  into  trade) 
How  glorious  were  the  day  that  saw  these  broke, 
And  every  man  within  the  reach  of  right ! 

By  wintry  famine  roused,  from  all  the  tract 
Of  hori'id  mountains  which  the  shining  Alps, 
And  wavy  Apennine,  and  Pyrenees, 
Branch  out  stupendous  into  distant  lands  — 
Cruel  as  death,  and  hungry  as  the  grave  ! 
Burning  for  blood  !  bony,  and  gaunt,  and  grim  ! 
Assembling  wolves  in  raging  troops  descend  ; 
And,  poring  o'er  the  country,  bear  along. 
Keen  as  the  north-wind  sweeps  the  glossy  snow. 
All  is  their  prize.     They  fasten  on  the  steed, 
Press  him  to  earth,  and  pierce  his  miglifcy  heart. 
Nor  can  the  bull  his  awful  front  defend. 
Or  shake  the  murdering  savages  away. 
Rapacious,  at  the  mother's  throat  they  Hy, 
And  tear  the  screaming  infant  from  her  breast. 
The  godlike  face  of  man  avails  him  naught. 


WINTEM.  1S7 

Even  beauty,  force  divine  !  at  whose  bright  glance 

The  generous  lion  stands  in  softened  gaze, 
Here  bleeds,  a  hapless  undistinguished  prey. 
Bat  if,  apprized  of  the  severe  attack, 
The  country  be  shut  up  —  lured  by  the  scent, 
On  churchyards  drear  (inhuman  to  relate  !) 
Tiie  disappointed  prowlers  fall,  and  dig 
The  shrouded  body  from  the  grave  ;  o'er  which. 
Mixed  with  foul    shades,  and  frighted  ghosts  they 
howl. 

Among  those  hilly  regions,  where  embraced 
In  peaceful  vales  the  happ}'  Grisons  dwell  ; 
Ott,  rushing  sudden  from  the  loaded  cliffs, 
Mountains  of  snow  their  gathering  terrors  roll. 
From    steep   to   steep,  loud-thundering,   down   they 

come, 
A  wintry  waste  in  dire  commotion  all  ; 
And  herds,  and  flocks,  and  travelers,  and  swains. 
And  sometimes  whole  brigades  of  marching  troops, 
Or  hamlets  sleeping  in  the  dead  of  night, 
Are  deep  beneath  the  smothering  ruin  whelmed. 

Now,  all  amid  the  rigors  of  the  year. 
In  the  wild  depth  of  Winter,  while  without 
The  ceaseless  winds  blow  ice,  be  my  retreat, 
Between  the  groaning  forest  and  the  shore. 
Beat  by  the  boundless  multitude  of  waves, 
A  rural,  sheltered,  solitary  scene  ; 
VVhere  ruddy  fire  and  beaming  tapers  join 
To  cheer  the  gloom.     There  studious  let  me  sit, 
And  hold  high  converse  with  the  miglity  dead  ; 
S;iges  of  ancient  time,  as  gods  revered, 
As  gods  l)eneficL'nt,  who  blessed  mankind 
With  arts,  with  arms,  and  humanized  a  world. 
Roused  at  the  ins])iring  thought,  I  throw  aside 
Tlie  long-lived  voluint'  ;   and,  deep-musing,  hail 
The  sacred  shades,  that  slowly-rising  pass 
Before  my  wondering  eyes.      First  Socrates, 
\Vho,  firmly  good  in  a  eorrupled  state, 
A<_rriirist  the  rage  of  tyrants  single  stood 
luviiK.'ihle  I   calm  reason's  holy  law, 


188  WINTER. 

That  voiee  of  God  within  the  attentive  mind. 
Obeying,  fearless,  or  in  life  or  death  : 
Great  moi'al  teacher  !  wisest  of  mankind  I 
Solon  the  next,  who  built  his  commonweal 
On  equity's  wide  base  ;  by  tender  laws 
A  lively  people  curbing,  yet  undamped 
Preserving  still  that  quick  peculiar  fire, 
Whence  in  the  laureled  field  of  finer  arts, 
And  of  bold  freedom,  they  unequaled  shone  — 
The  pride  of  smiling  Greece,  and  human-kind. 
Lycurgus  then,  who  bowed  beneath  the  force 
Of  strictest  discipline,  severely  wise, 
All  human  passions.     Following  him,  I  see, 
As  at  Thermopylffi  he  glorious  fell, 
The  firm  devoted  chief,  who  proved  by  deeds 
The  hardest  lesson  which  the  other  taught. 
Then  Aristides  lifts  his  honest  front  ; 
Spotless  of  heart,  to  whom  the  unflattering  voice 
Of  freedom  gave  the  noblest  name  of  Just ; 
In  pure  majestic  poverty  revered  ; 
Who,  even  his  glory  to  his  country's  weal 
Submitting,  swelled  a  haughty  rival's  fame,  * 
Reared  by  his  care,  of  softer  ray,  appears 
Cinion  sweet-souled  ;  whose  genius,  rising  strong, 
Shook  off  the  load  of  young  debauch  ;  abroad 
Tlu'  scourge  of  Persian  pride,  at  home  the  friend 
Of  every  worth  and  every  splendid  art  — 
Modest,  and  simple,  in  the  pomp  of  wealth. 
Then  the  last  worthies  of  declining  Greece, 
Late-called  to  glory,  in  unequal  times, 
Pensive,  appear.     The  fair  Corinthian  boast, 
Timoleon,  tempered  happy,  mild  and  firm. 
Who  wept  the  brother  while  the  tyrant  bled,  f 
And,  equal  to  the  best,  the  Tiieban  pair. 
Whose  virtues,  in  heroic  concord  joined. 


*  Themistocles. 
f  Timophanes,  the  tyrant  of  Corinth,  slain  by  his  brothel 
Tiinoloii,  who  conspired  against  him  to  release  the  country 
from  liis  rule. 


WINTER.  139 

Their  country  raised  to  freedom,  empire,  fame.  * 

He  too,  with  whom  Athenian  honor  sunk, 

And  left  a  mass  of  sordid  lees  behind, 

Phocion  the  Good  ;  in  public  life  severe. 

To  virtue  still  inexorably  firm  ; 

But  when,  beneath  his  low  illustrious  roof. 

Sweet  peace  and  happy  wisdom  smoothed  his  brow, 

Not  friendship  softer  was,  nor  love  more  kind. 

And  he,  the  last  of  Lycurgus'  sons, 

The  generous  victim  to  that  vain  attempt, 

To  save  a  rotten  state,  Agis,  who  saw 

Even  Sparta's  self  to  servile  avarice  sunk. 

The  two  Achfean  heroes  close  the  train  : 

Aratus,  who  awhile  relumed  the  soul 

Of  fondly  lingering  liberty  in  Greece  ; 

And  he  her  darling  as  her  latest  hope, 

The  gallant  Philopoemen,  who  to  arms 

Turned  the  luxurious  pomp  he  could  not  cure  ; 

Or,  toiling  in  his  farm,  a  simple  swain  ; 

Or,  bold  and  skillful,  thundering  in  the  field. 

Of  rougher  front,  a  mighty  people  come  ! 
A  race  of  heroes  I  in  those  virtuous  times 
Which  knew  no  stain,  save  that  with  partial  flame 
Their  dearest  country  they  too  fondly  loved. 
Her  better  founder  first,  the  light  of  Rome, 
Nuraa,  who  softened  her  rapacious  sons. 
Servius,  the  king  who  laid  the  solid  base 
On  which  o'er  earth  the  vast  republic  spread. 
Then  the  great  consuls  venerable  rise. 
The  public  father  who  the  private  quelled. 
As  on  the  dread  tribunal  sternly  sad.  f 
He  whom  his  thankless  country  could  not  lose. 
Camillus,  only  vengeful  to  her  foes. 
Fabricius,  scorner  of  all-coiujuering  gold  ; 
And  Cincinnatus,  awful  from  the  plow. 
Thy  willing  victim,  Carthage,  bursting  loose 
FVom  all  that  plea<ling  Nature  c(juld  oppose  ; 
l-'i-o'ii  a  whole  city's  tears,  by  rigid  faith 

*Pelopida8  ami  Epamiiiondas, 
i  Marcus  Junius  Brulub. 


140  WINTER. 

Imperious  called,  and  honor's  dire  command.  * 
Scipio,  the  gentle  chief,  humanely  brave. 
Who  soon  the  race  of  spotless  glory  ran  ; 
And,  warm  in  youth,  to  the  poetic  shade 
With  friendship  and  philosophy  retired. 
Tully,  whose  powerful  eloquence  awhile 
Restrained  the  rapid  fate  of  rushing  Rome. 
Unconquered  Cato,  virtuous  in  extreme. 
And  thou,  unhappy  Brutus,  kind  of  heart. 
Whose  steady  arm,  by  awful  virtue  urged. 
Lifted  the  Roman  steel  against  thy  friend. 
Thousands,  besides,  the  tribute  of  a  verse 
Demand  ;  but  who  can  count  the  stars  of  heaven  -, 
Who  sing  their  influence  on  this  lower  world  ? 

Behold,  who  yonder  comes  !  in  sober  state. 
Fair,  mild,  and  strong,  as  is  a  vernal  sun  : 
'Tis  Phoebus'  self,  or  else  the  Mantuan  swain  ! 
Great  Homer  too  appears,  of  daring  wing, 
Parent  of  song  !  and  equal  by  his  side, 
The  British  muse  ;  joined  hand  in  hand  they  walk, 
Darkling,  full  up  the  middle  steep  to  fame. 
Nor  absent  are  those  shades  whose  skillful  touch 
Pathetic  drew  the  impassioned  heart,  and  charmed 
Transported  Athens  with  the  moral  scene  : 
Nor  those  who,  tuneful,  waked  the  enchanting  lyre, 

First  of  your  kind  !  society  divine  ! 
Still  visit  thus  my  nights,  for  you  reserved, 
And  mount  my  soaring  soul  to  thoughts  like  yours. 
Silence,  thou  lonely  power  !  the  door  be  thine  ; 
See  on  the  hallowed  hour  that  none  intrude. 
Save  a  few  chosen  friends,  avIio  sometimes  deign 
To  bless  my  humble  roof  with  sense  refined, 
Learning  digested  well,  exalted  faith. 
Unstudied  wit,  and  humor  ever  gay. 
Or  from  the  muses'  hill  Mill  Pope  descend, 
To  raise  the  sacred  hotir,  to  bid  it  smile, 
And  with  the  social  spirit  warm  the  heart : 
For  though  not  sweeter  his  own  Homer  sings, 
Yet  is  his  life  the  more  endearing  song.  

♦  Reguhia. 


WINTEH.  141 

Where    art   thou,    Hammond?  thou    the  darling 

pride, 
The  friend  and  lover  of  the  tuneful  throng  ! 
Ah  !  why,  dear  youth,  in  all  the  blooming  prime 
Of  vernal  genius,  where  disclosing  fast 
Each  active  worth,  eacli  manly  virtue  lay. 
Why  wert  thou  ravished  from  our  hope  so  soon? 
What  now  avails  that  noble  thirst  of  fame, 
Which    stung  thy  fervent  breast  ?    that    treasured 

store 
Of  knowledge  early  gained  ?  that  eager  zeal 
To  serve  thy  country,  glowing  in  the  band 
Of  youthful  patriots,  who  sustain  her  name  ? 
What  now,  alas  !  that  life-diffusing  charm 
Of  sprightly  wit  ?  that  rapture  for  the  muse, 
That  heart  of  friendship,  and  that  soul  of  joy, 
Which  bade  with  softest  light  thy  virtue  smile  ? 
Ah  !  only  showed,  to  check  our  fond  pursuits. 
And  teach  our  humbled  hopes  that  life  is  vain.* 

Thus  in  some  deep  retirement  would  I  pass 
The  winter-glooms,  with  friends  of  pliant  soul. 
Or  blithe,  or  solemn,  as  the  theme  inspired  : 
With    them    would  search,    if    Nature's    boundless 

frame 
Was  called,  late-rising  from  the  void  of  night, 
Or  sprung  eternal  from  the  Eternal  Mind  ; 
Its  life,  its  laws,  its  progress,  and  its  end. 
1  fence  larger  prospects  of  the  beauteous  whole 
Would,  gradual,  open  on  our  opening  minds  ; 
And  each  diffusive  harmony  unite, 
In  full  pcrfectioti,  to  the  astonished  eye. 
':  hen  \v<^ul<l  we  try  to  scan  the  moral  world  ; 
Which,  though  1o  us  it  Kcenis  embroiled,  moves  OQ 
In  higher  order  —fitted,  and  impelled, 
l>y  wisdom's  finest  iiand,  and  issuing  all 
In  general  good.     The  sage  historic  muse 
Should  next  conduct  us  through  the  deeps  of  time  : 

*  HuiiuikjikI  (lied  iit  the  wirly  age  of  tliirty  two,  iu  the  yeai 

nil. 


i4d  WINTER. 

Show  us  how  empire  grew,  declined,  and  fell- 
In  scattered  states  ;  what  makes  the  nations  smile» 
Improves  their  soil,  and  gives  them  double  suns  ; 
And  why  they  pine  beneath  the  brightest  skies, 
In  Nature's  richest  lap.     As  thus  we  talked, 
Our  hearts  would  burn  within  us,  would  inhale 
That  portion  of  divinity,  that  ray 
Of  purest  heaven,  which  lights  the  public  soul 
Of  patriots,  and  of  heroes.     But  if  doomed, 
In  powerless  humble  fortune,  to  repress 
These  ardent  risings  of  the  kindling  soul  — 
Then,  even  superior  to  ambition,  we 
Would  learn  the  private  virtues  ;  how  to  glide 
Through  shades    and  plains,    along   the    smoothest 

stream 
Of  rural  life  ;  or  snatched  away  by  hope, 
Through  the  dim  spaces  of  futurity, 
With  earnest  eye  anticipate  those  scenes 
Of  happiness,  and  wonder  —  where  the  mind. 
In  endless  growth  and  infinite  ascent, 
Rises  from  state  to  state,  and  world  to  world. 
But  when  with  these  the  serious  thought  is  foiled, 
We,  shifting  for  relief,  would  play  the  shapes 
Of  frolic  fancy  :  and  incessant  form 
Those  rapid  pictures,  that  assembled  train 
Of  fleet  ideas,  never  joined  before, 
Whence  lively  wit  excites  to  gay  surprise  — 
Or  folly-painting  Immor,  grave  himself, 
Calls  laughter  forth,  deep-shaking  every  nerve. 
Meantime  the  village  rouses  up  the  fire  ; 
While,  well  attested,  and  as  well  believed, 
Heard  solemn,  goes  the  goblin  story  round. 
Till  superstitious  horror  creeps  o'er  all. 
Or,  frequent  in  the  sounding  hall,  they  wake 
The  rural  gambol.     Rustic  mirth  goes  round  : 
The  8im))k'  joke  that  takes  the  shepherd's  heart, 
Easily  pleased  :  the  long  loud  laugh,  sincere  ; 
The  kistt,  snatched  hasty  from  the  sidelong  maid, 
On  purpose  guardless,  or  pretending  sleep  ; 
The  leap,  the  slap,  the  haul  ;  and.  shook  to  notes 


WINTER.  14« 

Of  native  music,  the  respondent  dance. 

Thus  jocund  fleets  with  them  the  winter  night. 

The  city  swarms  intense.     The  public  haunt, 
Full  of  each  theme,  and  warm  with  mixed  discourse^ 
Hums  indistinct.     The  sons  of  riot  flow 
Down  the  loose  stream  of  false  enchanted  joy, 
To  swift  destruction.     On  the  rankled  soul 
The  gaming  fury  falls  ;  and  in  one  gulf 
Of  total  ruin,  honor,  virtue,  peace. 
Friends,  families,  and  fortune,  headlong  sink. 
Up  springs  the  dance  along  the  lighted  dome, 
Mixed,  and  evolved,  a  thousand  sprightly  ways. 
The  glittering  court  effuses  every  pomp  ; 
The  circle  deepens  ;  beamed  from  gaudy  robes, 
Tapers,  and  sparkling  gems,  and  radiant  eyes, 
A  soft  effulgence  o'er  the  palace  waves  : 
While,  a  gay  insect  in  his  summer  shine. 
The  fop,  light-fluttering,  spreads  his  mealy  wings. 

Dread  o'er  the  scene,  the  ghost  of  Hamlet  stalks  ; 
Othello  rages  ;  poor  Monimia  mourns  ; 
And  Belvidera  pours  her  soul  in  love. 
Terror  alarms  the  breast ;  the  comely  tear 
Steals  o'er  the  cheek  :  or  else  the  comic  muse 
Holds  to  the  world  a  })icture  of  itself. 
And  raises  sly  the  fair  impartial  laugli. 
Sometimes  she  lifts  her  strain,  and  paints  the  scenes 
Of  beauteous  life  :  whate'er  can  deck  mankind. 
Or  charm  the  heart,  in  generous  Bevil  *  showed, 

O  thou  whose  wisdom,  solid  yet  i-eflned, 
Whose  patriot-virtues,  and  consummate  skill 
To  touch  the  finer  s])rings  that  move  the  world, 
Joined  to  whate'er  the  Graces  can  bestow. 
And  all  Apollo's  animating  fire, 
Give  thee,  with  pleasing  dignify,  to  shine 
At  once  the  guardian,  ornament,  and  joy. 
Of  polished  life  —  permit  the  rural  muse, 
O  Chesterfield,  to  grace  with  thee  her  song  ! 
F^re  to  the  shades  again  she  humbly  flies, 

*  A  character  in  the  Consoious  Lovers,  written  by  Sir  Richard 
Btefcle. 


144  WINTER. 

Indulge  her  fond  ambition,  in  thy  train, 
^For  every  muse  has  in  thy  train  a  place) 
To  mark  thy  various  full  accomplished  mind  : 
To  mark  that  spirit,  which,  with  British  scorn, 
Rejects  the  allurements  of  corrupted  power  ; 
That  elegant  politeness,  which  excels. 
Even  in  the  judgment  of  presumptuous  France, 
The  boasted  manners  of  her  shining  court  ; 
That  wit,  the  vivid  energy  of  sense, 
The  truth  of  nature,  which,  with  Attic  point, 
And  kind  well-tempered  satire,  smoothly  keen, 
Steals  through  the  soul,  and  without  pain  corrects. 
Or,  rising  thence  with  yet  a  brighter  flame. 
O  let  me  hail  thee  on  some  glorious  day. 
When  to  the  listening  senate,  ardent,  crowd 
Britannia's  sons  to  hear  her  pleaded  cause. 
Then  dressed  by  thee,  more  amiably  fair. 
Truth  the  soft  robe  of  mild  persuasion  wears  : 
Thou  to  assenting  reason  givest  again 
Her  own  enlightened  thoughts  ;  called  from  the  heart, 
The  obedient  passions  on  thy  voice  attond  ; 
And  even  reluctant  party  feels  awhile 
Thy  gracious  power  —  as  through  the  varied  maze 
Of  eloquence,  now  smooth,  now  quick,  now  strong, 
Profound  and  clear,  you  roll  the  copious  flood. 
To  thy  loved  haunt  return,  my  happy  muse : 
For  now,  behold,  the  joyous  winter-days, 
Frostv,  succeed  ;  and  through  the  blue  serene, 
For  sight  too  fine,  the  ethereal  niter  flies  — 
Killing  infectious  damps,  and  the  spent  air 
Storing  afresh  with  elemental  life. 
Close  crowds  the  shining  atmosphere  ;  and  binds 
Our  strengthened  bodies  in  its  cold  embrace, 
Constringent  ;  feeds,  and  animates  our  blood  ; 
Refines  our  spirits,  through  the  new-strung  nerves, 
In  swifter  sallies  darting  to  the  brain  — 
Where  sits  the  soul,  intense,  cuUected,  cool, 
Bright  as  the  skies,  and  as  the  season  keen. 
All  Nature  feels  the  lenovating  force 
Of  Winter,  only  to  the  thoughtless  eye 


WINTER.  Ii5 

In  ruin  seen.     The  frost-concocted  glebe 
Draws  in  abundant  vegetable  soul, 
And  gathers  vigor  for  the  coming  year. 
A  stronger  glow  sits  on  the  lively  cheek 
Of  ruddy  tire  :  and  luculent  along 
The  purer  rivers  flow  ;  their  sullen  deeps, 
Transparent,  open  to  the  slu^pherd's  gaze, 
And  murmur  hoarser  at  the  tixing  frost.  [stores 

What   art   thou,   frost  ?  and    whence  are  thy  keen 
Derived,  thou  secret  all-invading  power. 
Whom  even  the  illusive  fluid  cannot  fly  ? 
Is  not  thy  potent  energy,  unseen, 
Myriads  of  little  salts,  or  hooked,  or  shaped 
Like  double  wedges,  and  diffused  immense 
Through  water,  earth,  and  ether?  Hence  at  eve, 
Steamed  eager  from  the  red  horizon  round, 
With  the  fierce  rage  of  Winter  deep  suffused. 
An  icy  gale,  oft  shifting,  o'er  the  pool 
Breathes  a  blue  film,  and  in  its  mid  career 
Arrests  the  bickering  stream.     The  loosened  ice. 
Let  down  the  flood,  and  half  dissolved  by  day, 
Rustles  no  more  ;  but  to  the  sedgy  bank 
F'ast  grows,  or  gathers  I'ound  the  pointed  stone  — 
A  crystal  pavement,  by  the  breath  of  heaven 
Cemented  firm  ;  till,  seized  from  shore  to  shore, 
The  whole  imprisoned  river  growls  below. 
Loud  rings  the  frozen  earth,  and  hard  reflects 
A  double  noise  ;  while  at  his  evening  watch, 
The  village  dog  deters  the  nightly  thief  ; 
The  heifer  lows  ;  the  distant  waterfall 
Swells  in  the  breeze  ;  and,  with  the  hasty  tread 
Of  traveler,  the  hollow-sounding  j>lain 
Shakes  from  afar.     The  full  ethereal  round, 
It)finite  worlds  disclosing  to  the  view. 
Shines  out  intensely  keen  ;  an<l,  all  one  cope 
Of  starry  glitter,  glows  from  pole;  to  ])o]e. 
I'Votn  pole  to  pole  the  rigid  iiitlueiice  lulls. 
Through  the  still  night,  incess.uil,  heavy,  strong, 
And  seizes  Nature  fast.      It  freezes  on  ; 
rill  morn,  late  rising  o'er  the  drooping  world, 


146  WINTER. 

Lifts  her  pale  eye  unjoyous.     Then  appears 
The  various  labor  of  the  silent  night : 
Prone  from  the  dripping  eave,  and  dumb  cascade, 
Whose  idle  torrents  only  seem  to  roar, 
The  pendent  icicle  ;  the  frost-work  fair, 
Where  transient  hues,  and  fancied  figures,  rise  ; 
Wide-spouted  o'er  the  hill,  the  frozen  brook, 
A  livid  tract,  cold  gleaming  on  the  morn  ; 
The  forest  bent  beneath  the  plumy  wave  ; 
And  by  the  frost  refined  the  whiter  snow, 
Incrusted  hard,  and  sounding  to  the  tread 
Of  early  shepherd,  as  he  pensive  seeks 
His  pining  flock,  or  from  the  mountain  top, 
Pleased  with  the  slippery  surface,  swift  descends. 

On  blithesome  frolics  bent,  the  youthful  swains, 
While  every  work  of  man  is  laid  at  rest, 
Fond  o'er  the  river  crowd,  in  various  sport 
And  revelry  dissolved  ;  where  mixing  glad, 
Happiest  of  all  the  train  !  the  raptured  boy 
Lashes  the  whirling  top.     Or,  where  the  Rhine 
Branched  out  in  many  a  long  canal  extends. 
From  every  province  swarming,  void  of  care, 
Batavia  rushes  forth  ;  and  as  tliey  sweep. 
On  sounding  skates,  a  thousand  different  ways, 
In  circling  poise,  swift  as  the  winds,  along, 
The  then  gay  land  is  maddened  all  to  joy. 
Nor  less  the  northern  courts,  wide  o'er  the  snow 
Pour  a  new  pomp.     Eager,  on  rapid  sleds, 
Their  vigorous  youth  in  bold  contention  wheel 
The  long-resounding  course.     Meantime,  to  raise 
The  manly  strife,  with  highly  blooming  charms, 
Flushed  by  the  Season,  Scandinavia's  dames, 
Or  Russia's  buxom  daughters,  glow  around. 

Pure,  quick,  and  sportful,  is  the  wholesome  day  ; 
But  soon  elapsed.     The  horizontal  sun, 
Broad  o'er  the  south,  hangs  at  his  utmost  noon  ; 
And,  ineffectual,  strikes  the  gelid  cliff. 
His  azure  gloss  the  mountain  still  maintains, 
Nor  feels  the  feeble  touch.     Perhaps  the  vale 
Relents  awhile  to  the  reflected  ray  ; 


WINTER.  :4^ 

Or  from  the  forest  falls  the  clustered  snow, 
Myriads  of  gems,  that  in  the  waving  gleam 
Gay-twinkle  as  they  scatter.     Thick  around 
Thunders  the  sport  of  those  who  with  the  guM, 
And  dog  impatient  bounding  at  the  shot, 
Worse  than  the  season,  desolate  the  fields  ; 
And,  adding  to  the  ruins  of  the  year, 
Distress  the  footed  or  the  feathered  game. 

But  what  is  this  ?  Our  infant  Winter  sinks, 
Divested  of  his  grandeur,  should  our  eye 
Astonished  shoot  into  the  frigid  zone  ; 
Where,  for  relentless  months,  continual  night 
Holds  o'er  the  glittering  waste  her  starry  reign. 

There,  through  the  prison  of  unbounded  wilds, 
Barred  by  the  hand  of  Nature  from  escape, 
Wide-roaras  the  Russian  exile.     Naught  around 
Strikes  his  sad  eye,  but  deserts  lost  in  snow  ; 
And  heavy-loaded  groves  ;  and  solid  floods, 
'J'hat  stretch,  athwart  the  solitary  vast, 
Their  icy  horrors  to  the  frozen  main  ; 
And  cheerless  towns  far-distant,  never  blessed, 
Save  when  its  annual  course  the  caravan 
Bends  to  the  golden  coast  of  rich  Cathay, 
With  news  of  human-kind.     Yet  there  life  glows. 
Yet  cherished  there,  beneath  the  shining  waste, 
The  furry  nations  harbor  :  tipped  with  jet. 
Fair  ermines,  spotless  as  the  snows  they  press  ; 
Sables,  of  glossy  black  ;  and  dark-embrowned, 
Or  beauteous  freaked  with  many  a  mingled  hue, 
Thousands  besides,  the  costly  {)ride  of  courts. 
There,  warm  together  pressed,  the  trooping  deer 
Sleep  on  the  new-fallen  snows  ;  and,  scarce  his  head 
Raised  o'er  the  heapy  wreath,  the  branching  elk 
Lies  slumbering  snllen  in  the  white  abyss. 
The  ruthless  hunter  wants  nor  dogs  nor  toils, 
Nor  with  the  dread  of  sounding  bows  he  drives 
The  fearful  flying  race  ;   with  ponderous  clubs, 
As  weak  against  the  mountain  heaps  they  push 
Their  beating  breast  in  vain,  and  piieous  bray, 
He  lays  them  (quivering  on  the  ensanguined  snowi, 


148  WINTER. 

And  with  loud  shouts  rejoicing  bears  them  home. 
There  through  the  piny  forest  half-absorpt, 
Rough  tenant  of  these  shades,  the  shapeless  bear, 
With  dangling  ice  all  horrid,  stalks  forlorn  ; 
Slow-placed,  and  sourer  as  the  storms  increase, 
He  makes  his  bed  beneath  the  inclement  drift, 
And,  with  stern  patience,  scorning  weak  complaint, 
Hardens  his  heart  against  assailing  want. 

Wide  o'er  the  spacious  regions  of  the  north, 
That  see  Bootes  urge  his  tardy  wain, 
A  boisterous  race,  by  frosty  Caurus  *  pierced, 
Who  little  pleasure  know  and  fear  no  pain, 
Prolific  swarm.     They  once  relumed  the  flame 
Of  lost  mankind  in  polished  slavery  sunk. 
Drove  martial  horde  on  horde,  f  with  dreadful  sweep 
Resistless  rushing  o'er  the  enfeebled  south, 
And  gave  the  vanquished  world  another  form. 
Not  such  the  sons  of  Lapland  :  wisely  they 
Despise  the  insensate  barbarous  trade  of  war  ; 
They  ask  no  more  than  simple  Nature  gives  ; 
They  love  their  mountains  and  enjoy  their  storms. 
No  false  desires,  on  pride-created  wants. 
Disturb  the  peaceful  current  of  their  time  ; 
And,  through  the  restless  ever-tortured  maze 
Of  pleasure,  or  ambition,  bid  it  rage. 
Tlieir  reindeer  form  their  riches.     These  their  tents, 
Their  robes,  their  beds,  and  all  their  homely  wealth 
Supply,  their  wholesome  fare,  and  cheerful  cups. 
Obsequious  at  their  call,  the  docile  tribe 
Yield  to  the  sled  their  necks,  and  whirl  them  swift 
O'er  hill  and  dale,  heaped  into  one  expanse 
Of  marbled  snow,  as  far  as  eye  can  sweep 
With  ablue  crust  of  ice  unbounded  glazed. 
By  dancing  meteors  then,  that  ceaseless  shake 
A  waving  blaze  refracted  o'er  the  heavens, 
And  vivid  moons,  and  stars  that  keener  play 
With  doubled  luster  from  the  radiant  waste, 

*  The  iiorlli  wi'J-t  wind. 

f  The  wandering  Scythian  clans. 


WINTER.  14» 

Even  in  the  depth  of  polar  night,  thev  find 

A  wondrous  day  —  enough  to  light  the  chase. 

Or  guide  their  daring  steps  to  Finland-lairs. 

Wished  Spring  returns  ;  and  froju  the  liazy  south. 

While  dim  Aurora  slowly  moves  before, 

The  welcome  sun,  just  verging  u[)  at  linst, 

By  small  degrees  extends  th'j  swelling  curve  ; 

Tdl  seen  at  last  for  gay  rejoicing  months, 

Still,  round  and  round,  his  spii-al  coui-se  he  winds, 

And  as  he  nearly  dips  his  flaming  orb 

Wheels  up  again,  and  reascends  the  sky. 

In  that  glad  season,  from  the  lakes  and  floods, 

Where  pure  Niemi's  *  fairy  mountains  rise, 

And  fringed  with  roses  Tenglio  f  rolls  his  stream, 

They  draw  the  copious  fry.     With  these,  at  eve, 

They  cheerful  loaded  to  their  tents  repair  ; 

Where,  all  day  long  in  useful  cares  employed. 

Their  kind  unblemished  wives  the  fire  prepare. 

Thrice  happy  race  !  by  poverty  secured 

From  legal  plunder  and  rapacious  power  : 

In  whom  fell  interest  never  yet  has  sown 

The  seeds  of  vice  ;  whose  spotless  swains  ne'er  knef ' 

Injurious  deed  ;  nor,  blasted  by  the  breath 

Ot  faithless  love,  their  blooming  daughters  woe. 

Still  pressing  on,  beyond  Tornea's  lake,| 
And  Hecla  flaming  through  a  waste  of  snow, 
And  furthest  Greenland,  to  the  pole  itself. 


*  M-  de  Maupertuis,  in  his  book  on  Tlie  Fujnre,  of  iht  Earth, 
after  iiaving  descril>ed  the  beautiful  lake  and  mountain  of 
Niemi,  in  Lapland,  says,  "  From  this  iici^lil  we  li.i  i  oppor- 
tunity several  times  to  seo  those  vapors  rise  from  the  hike 
which  llie  people  of  the  couuiry  call  Ilaltios,  and  wiiich  they 
deem  to  be  the  guardian  spirits  of  the  niouiitains.  We  bad 
been  frightened  with  stories  of  bears  that  haunted  this  plare 
but  HJiw  none.  It  seemed  rather  a  place  of  resort  for  fairies  uik' 
genii  than  bears." 

f  Tiie  same  author  ol)serves  :  "  I  was  surprised  to  see  upi'i 
the  banks  of  this  river  (tlie  Tenglio)  roses  of  as  lively  a  red  a- 
any  that  are  in  om  gardens." 

\  In  Fin  and,  situated  at  the  northern  extremity  of  the  Gu  f 
of  Bothnia. 


180  WINTER. 

Where,  failing  gradual,  life  at  length  goes  oirt, 
The  muse  expands  her  solitary  flight ; 
And,  hovering  o'er  the  wild  stupendous  scene, 
Beholds  new  seas  beneath  another  sky.* 
Throned  in  his  palace  of  cerulean  ico. 
Here  Winter  holds  his  unrejoicing  court  ; 
And  through  his  air}-  hall  the  loud  misrule 
Of  driving  tempest  is  forever  heard  : 
Here  the  grim  tyrant  meditates  his  wrath  ; 
Here  arms  his  winds  with  ail-subduing  frost ; 
Molds  his  fierce  hail,  and  treasures  up  his  snows. 
With  which  he  now  oppresses  half  the  globe. 

Thence  winding  eastward  to  the  Tartar's  coast^ 
She  sweeps  the  howling  margin  of  the  main  ; 
Where  undissolving,  from  tlie  first  of  time, 
Snows  swell  on  snows  amazing  to  the  sky  — 
And  icy  mountains  high  on  mountains  piled 
Seem  to  the  shivering  sailor  from  afar. 
Shapeless  and  white,  an  atmosphere  of  clouds. 
Projected  huge,  and  horrid,  o'er  the  surge, 
Alps  frown  on  Alps  ;  or  rushing  hideous  down, 
As  if  old  chaos  was  again  returned, 
Wide-rend  the  deep,  and  shake  the  solid  pole. 
Ocean  itself  no  longer  can  resist 
The  binding  fury  ;  but,  in  all  its  rage 
Of  tempest  taken  by  the  boundless  frost, 
Is  many  a  fathom  to  the  bottom  chained. 
And  bid  to  roar  no  more  :  a  bleak  expanse, 
Shagged  o'er  with  wavy  rocks,  clieorless,  and  void 
Of  every  life,  that  from  the  dreary  months 
Flies  conscious  southward.     Miserable  they  ! 
Who,  here  entangled  in  the  gathering  ice. 
Take  their  last  look  of  the  descending  sun  ; 
While,  full  of  death,  and  fierce  with  tenfold  frost, 
The  long,  long  night,  incumbent  o'er  their  heads 
Falls  horrible.     Such  was  the  Briton's  f  fate, 

*  The  other  hemisphere. 

f  iSir  Hugh  WiUoughby,  sent  by  a  company  of  adventurers 
to  discover  the  north-east  passage.  The  voyage  w^s  undertak- 
en in  1553. 


WINTER.  161 

As  with  first  prow,  (what  have  not  Britons  dared  I) 

He  for  the  passage  sought,  attempted  since 

So  much  in  vain,  and  seeming  to  be  shut 

l>y  jealous  Nature  with  eternal  bars. 

Ill  these  fell  regions,  in  Arzina  caught, 

And  to  the  stony  deep  his  idle  ship 

Immediate  sealed,  he  with  his  hapless  crew, 

Ii^:ich  full  exerted  at  his  several  task, 

Froze  into  statues  ;  to  the  cordage  glued 

The  sailor,  and  the  pilot  to  the  helm. 

Hard  by  these  shores,  where  scarce    his  freezing 

stream 
Rolls  the  wild  Obi,*  live  the  last  of  men  ; 
And,  half  enlivened  by  the  distant  sun. 
That  rears  and  ripens  man,  as  well  as  plants, 
Here  human  nature  wears  its  rudest  form. 
Deep  from  the  piercing  season  sunk  in  caves. 
Here  by  dull  fires,  and  with  unjoyous  cheer. 
They  waste  the  tedious  gloom.     Immersed  in  furs, 
Doze  the  gross  race.     Nor  sprightly  jest,  nor  song, 
Nor  tenderness,  they  know  ;  nor  auglit  of  life. 
Beyond  the  kindred  bears  that  stalk  without. 
Till  morn  at  length,  her  roses  drooping  all. 
Sheds  a  long  twilight  brightening  o'er  the  fields, 
And  calls  the  quivered  savage  to  the  chase. 
What  cannot  active  government  perform. 
New-molding  man  ?      Wide-stretching    from    thes* 

shores, 
A  people  savage  from  remotest  time, 
A  liuge  neglected  empire  —  one  vast  mind. 
By  Heaven  inspired,  from  Gothic  darkness  called. 
Immortal  Peter  !  fii-st  of  monarchs  !     He 
His  stubborn  country  tamed,  her  rocks,  her  fens. 
Her  fioods,  her  seas,  her  ill-suV)mitrMig  sons  ; 
And  while  the  fierce  barbarian  lie  subdued. 
To  more  exalted  soul  he  raised  the  man. 
Ye  shades  of  ancient  heroes,  ye  who  toiled 


*  A  river  of  Siberia,  the  banks  of  wliich  are  peopled  by  OsU- 
ftkft. 


15i  WINTER. 

Through  long  successive  ages  to  build  up 

A  laboring  plan  of  state,  behold  at  once 

The  wonder  done  !  behold  the  matchlesn  fwiuMii,  - 

Who  left  his  native  throne,  where  reigacd  till  tta*k 

A  mighty  sliadow  of  unreal  power  ; 

Who  greatly  spurned  the  slothful  pottp  of  courts , 

And  roaming  every  land  —  in  every  port 

His  scepter  laid  aside,  with  glorious  hand 

Unwearied  plying  the  mechanic  tooi  — 

(-lathered  the  seeds  of  trade,  of  us'^ful  arts, 

Of  civil  wisdom,  and  of  martial  skill. 

Charged  with  the  stores  of  P]urope,  home  he  goes. 

Then  cities  rise  amid  the  illumiTiated  waste  ; 

O'er  joyless  deserts  smiles  the  rural  reign  ; 

Far-distant  flood  to  flood  is  social  joined  ; 

The  astonished  Euxine  hears  the  Baltic  roar  ; 

Proud  navies  ride  on  seas  that  never  foamed 

With  daring  keel  before  ;  and  armies  stretch 

Each  way  their  dazzling  files  —  repressing  here 

The  frantic  Alexander  of  the  north, 

And  awing  their  stern  Othman's  shrinking  sons. 

Sloth  flies  the  land,  and  ignorance,  and  vice, 

Of  old  dishonor  proud  :  it  glows  abound, 

Taught  by  the  royal  hand  that  routed  the  whole. 

One  scene  of  arts,  of  arms,  of  rising  trade  — 

For  what  his  wisdom  planned,  and  power  enforced 

More  potent  still,  his  great  exawipie  showed. 

Muttering,  the  winds  at  eve,  »vith  blunted  point. 
Blow  hollow-blustering  from  the  south.     Subdued, 
'J'he  frost  resolves  into  a  trtckling  thaw. 
Spotted,  the  mountains  shiue  ;  loose  sleet  descend^ 
And  floods  the  country  round.     The  rivers  swell, 
Of  bonds  impatient.     Sudden  from  the  hills, 
O'er  rocks  and  woods,  in  broad  brown  cataracts, 
A  thousand  snow-fed  torrents  shoot  at  once  ; 
And,  where  they  rush,  the  wide-resounding  pfaiu 
Is  left  one  slimy  waste.     Those  sullen  seas, 
That  wash  the  ungenial  pole,  will  rest  no  more 
Beneath  the  shackles  of  the  mighty  north  ; 
But,  rousing  all  their  waves,  resistless  heave  — 


WINTER.  IM 

And,  hark  !  the  lengtlicning  roar  continuous  runs 

Athwart  the  rifted  deep  :  at  once  it  bursts. 

And  piles  a  thousand  mountains  to  the  clouds. 

Ill  fares  the  bark  with  trembling  wretches  charged. 

That,  tossed  amid  the  floating  fragments,  moors 

Beneath  the  shelter  of  an  icy  isle. 

While  night  o'erwhelms  the  sea,  and  horror  looks 

More  horrible.     Can  human  foi'ce  endure 

The  assembled  mischiefs  that  besiege  them  round? 

Heart-gnawing  hunger,  fainting  weariness, 

The  roar  of  winds  and  waves,  the  crush  of  ice. 

Now  ceasing,  now  renewed  with  louder  rage. 

And  in  dire  echoes  bellowing  round  the  main. 

More  to  embroil  the  deep,  Leviathan 

And  his  un wieldly  train,  in  dreadful  sport. 

Tempest  the  loosened  brine,  while  through  the  gloom, 

Far  from  the  bleak  inhospitable  shore. 

Loading  the  winds,  is  heard  the  hungry  howl 

Of  famished  monsters,  there  awaiting  wrecks. 

Yet  Providence,  that  ever-waking  eye, 

Looks  down  with  pity  on  the  feeble  toil 

Of  mortals  lost  to  hope,  and  lights  them  safe 

Through  all  this  dreary  labyrinth  of  fate. 

'Tis  done  —  dread  Winter  spreads  his  latest  glooms, 
And  reigns  tremendous  o'er  the  conquered  year. 
How  dead  the  vegetable  kingdom  lies  ! 
How  dumb  the  tuneful  !   Horror  wide  extends 
His  desolate  domain.     Behold,  fond  man  ! 
See  here  thy  pictured  life  ;  pass  some  few  years  — 
Thy  flowering  S})ring,  thy  Sntiimer's  ardent  strength, 
Thy  sober  Autumn  fading  into  age, 
Amd  pale  concluding  Winter  comes  at  last, 
And  shuts  the  scene.     Ah  I   whither  now  are  fled 
Those  dreams  of  greatness?  those  unsolid  hopes 
Of  happiness?  those  huigiiigs  after  fame? 
Those  restless  can^s  ?  those  busy  bustling  days? 
Those     gay-spent,     festive     nights?    those     veering 

thoughts, 
Ijost  between  good  and  ill,  that  shared  thy  life? 
All  now  are  vanished  !  Virtue  sole  survives. 


l54  A  HYMN. 

Immortal,  never-failing  friend  of  man, 

His  guide  to  happiness  on  high. —  And  see  ! 

*Tis  come,  the  glorious  morn  !  the  second  birth 

Of  heaven  and  earth  !  awakening  Nature  hears 

The  new-creating  word,  and  starts  to  life, 

In  every  heightened  form,  from  pain  and  death 

For  ever  free.     The  great  eternal  scheme 

Involving  all,  and  in  a  perfect  whole 

Uniting,  as  the  prospect  wider  spreads, 

To  reason's  eye  refined  clears  up  apace. 

Ye  vainly  wise  !  ye  blind  presumptuous  !  now, 

Confounded  in  the  dust,  adore  that  Power 

And  Wisdom  oft  arraigned  :  see  now  the  cause 

Why  unassuming  worth  in  secret  lived. 

And  died,  neglected  ;  why  the  good  man's  share 

In  life  was  gall  and  bitterness  of  soul  ; 

Why  the  lone  widow  and  her  orphans  pined 

In  starving  solitude  —  while  luxury. 

In  palaces,  lay  straining  her  Ioav  thought 

To  form  unreal  wants  ;  why  heaven-born  truth, 

And  moderation  fair,  word  the  red  marks 

Of  superstition's  scourge  ;  why  licensed  pain, 

That  cruel  spoiler,  that  embosomed  foe. 

Embittered  all  our  bliss.     Ye  good  distressed  ! 

Ye  noble  few  !  who  here  unbending  stand 

Beneath  life's  pressure,  yet  bear  up  awhile  ; 

And  what  your  bounded  view,  which  only  saw 

A  little  part,  deemed  evil  is  no  more  : 

The  storms  of  wintry  time  will  quickly  pass. 

And  one  unbounded  Spring  encircle  all. 


A  HYMN. 

These,  as  they  change,  Almighty  Father,  these. 
Are  but  the  varied  God.     The  rolling  year 
Is  full  of  Thee.     Forth  in  the  pleasing  Spring 
Thy  beauty  walks,  thy  tenderness  and  love. 
Wide  fltish  the  fields  ;  the  softening  air  is  balm  ; 
Echo  the  mountains  round  ;  the  forest  smiles  ; 


j4  AYMN.  loo 

And  every  sense,  and  every  heart,  is  joy. 
Then  comes  Thy  glory  in  the  summer  months, 
With  light  and  heat  refulgent.     Then  Thy  sun 
Shoots  full  perfection  through  the  swelling  year  ; 
And  oft  Thy  voice  in  dreadful  thunder  speaks  — 
4-nd  oft  at  dawn,  deep  noon,  or  falling  eve. 
By  brooks  and  groves,  in  hollow-whispering  gales. 
Thy  bounty  shines  in  Autumn  unconfined, 
And  spreads  a  common  feast  for  all  that  lives. 
In  Winter,  awful  Thou  !  with  clouds  and  storms 
Around  Thee  thrown,  tempest  o'er  tempest  rolled, 
Majestic  darkness  !  on  the  whirlwinds  wing 
Riding  sublime,  Thou  bidst  the  world  adore, 
And  humblest  Nature  with  Thy  northern  blast. 

Mysterious  round  !  what  skill,  what  force  divine, 
Deep  felt,  in  these  appear  !  a  simple  train. 
Yet  so  delightful  mixed,  with  such  kind  art, 
Such  beauty  and  beneficence  combined  ; 
Shade,  unperceived,  so  softening  into  shade  ; 
And  all  so  forming  an  harmonious  whole  ; 
That,  as  they  still  succeed,  they  ravish  still. 
But  wandermg  oft,  with  brute  unconscious  gaze, 
Man  marks  not  Thee,  marks  not  the  mighty  hand. 
That,  ever-busy,  wheels  the  silent  spheres  ; 
Works  in  the  secret  deep  ;  shoots,  steaming,  thence 
The  fair  profusion  that  o'erspreads  the  Spring  ; 
Flings  from  the  sun  direct  the  flaming  day  : 
Feeds  every  creature  ;  hurls  the  tem])est  forth  ; 
And,  as  on  earth  this  grateful  change  revolves. 
With  transport  touches  all  the  springs  of  life. 

Nature,  attend  !  join  every  living  soul, 
Beneath  the  K))acious  temple  of  the  sky, 
In  adoration  join  ;  and,  ardent,  raise 
One  general  song  !  T(j  Him,  ye  vocal  gales, 
Hreatht;  soft,  whose  Spirit  in  your  freshness  breathe*  : 
Oh  talk  of  Ilini  in  solitary  glooms  ! 
Where,  o'er  the  rock,  the  scarcely  waving  pine 
Fills  the  brown  shade  with  a  religious  awe. 
And  ye,  whose  bolder  not(;  is  iieard  afar. 
Who  shake  the  astonished  world,  lift  high  to  heaven 


IM  A  HYMN. 

The  impetuous  song,  and  say  from  whom  you  rage. 

His  praise,  ye  brooks,  attune,  ye  trembling  rills  ; 

And  let  me  catch  it  as  I  muse  along. 

Ye  headlong  torrents,  rapid,  and  profound  ; 

Ye  softer  floods,  that  lead  the  humid  maze 

Along  the  vale  ;  and  thou,  majestic  main, 

A  secret  world  of  wonders  in  thyself, 

Sound  His  stupendous  praise  —  whose  greater  voice 

Or  bids  you  roar,  or  bids  your  roarings  fall. 

Soft-roll  your  incense,  herbs,  and  fruits,  and  flowers. 

In  mingled  clouds  to  Him  ^  whose  sun  exalts, 

Whose  breath  perfumes  you,  and  whose  pencil  paints. 

Ye  forests  bend,  ye  harvests  wave,  to  Him  ; 

Breathe  your  still  song  into  the  reaper's  heart, 

As  home  he  goes  beneath  the  joyous  moon. 

Ye  that  keep  watch  in  heaven,  as  earth  asleep 

Unconscious  lies,  effuse  your  mildest  beams, 

Ye  constellations,  while  your  angels  strike. 

Amid  the  spangled  eky,  the  silver  lyre. 

Great  source  of  day  !  best  image  here  below 

Of  thy  Creator,  ever  pouring  wide, 

From  world  to  world,  the  vital  ocean  round, 

On  Nature  write  with  every  beam  His  praise. 

The  thunder  rolls  :  be  hushed  the  prostrate  world  ; 

While  cloud  to  cloud  returns  the  solemn  hymn. 

Bleat  out  afresh,  ye  hills  ;  ye  mossy  rocks, 

Retain  the  sound  :  the  broad  responsive  low, 

Ye  valleys,  raise  ;  for  the  Great  Shepherd  reigns  ; 

And  His  unsuffering  kingdom  yet  will  come. 

Ye  woodlands  all,  awake  :  a  boundless  song 

Burst  from  the  groves  ;  and  when  the  restless  day, 

Expiring,  lays  the  warbling  world  asleep, 

Sweetest  of  birds  !  sweet  Philomela,  cliarm 

The  listening  shades,  and  teach  the  night  His  praisa 

Ye  chief,  for  whom  the  whole  creation  snules, 

At  once  the  head,  the  heart,  and  tongue  of  all, 

Crown  the  great  hymn  !   in  swarming  cities  vast, 

Assembled  men,  to  the  deep  organ  join 

The  long-resounding  voice,  oft-breaking  clear. 

At  solemn  pauses,  through  the  swelling  base  ; 


LIBERTY.  ^1 

And,  as  each  mingling  flame  increases  each. 
In  one  united  ardor  rise  to  heaven. 
Or  if  you  rather  choose  the  rural  shade, 
And  find  a  fane  in  every  sacred  grove  ; 
There  let  the  shepherd's  flute,  the  virgin's  lay, 
The  prompting  seraph,  and  the  ])O0t's  lyre, 
Still  sing  the  God  of  Seasons,  as  they  roll. 
For  me,  when  I  forget  the  darling  theme, 
Whether  the  blossom  blows,  the  summer-ray 
Russets  the  ])lain,  inspiring  Autumn  gleams, 
Or  Winter  rises  in  the  blackening  east. 
Be  my  tongue  mute  —  my  fancy  paint  no  more, 
And,  dead  to  joy,  forget  my  heart  to  beat  ! 

Should  fate  command  me  to  the  furthest  verge 
Of  the  green  earth,  to  distant  barbarous  climes, 
Rivers  unknown  to  song —  where  first  the  sun 
Gilds  Indian  mountains,  or  his  setting  beam 
Flames  on  the  xVtlantic  isles —  'tis  naught  tome  : 
Since  God  is  ever  present,  ever  felt, 
In  the  void  waste  as  in  the  city  full  ; 
And  where  He  vital  spreads  there  must  be  joy. 
When  even  at  last  the  solemn  hour  shall  come, 
And  wing  my  mystic  flight  to  future  worlds, 
I  cheerful  will  obey  ;  there,  with  new  powers, 
Will  rising  wonders  sing  :  I  cannot  go 
Where  Universal  Love  not  smiles  around. 
Sustaining  all  yon  orbs,  and  all  their  sons  ; 
From  seeming  evil  still  educing  good, 
And  better  thence  again,  and  better  still, 
In  infinite  progression. —  But  I  lose 
Myself  in  Him,  in  light  incfi'able  ! 
Come  then,  expressive  silence,  muse  His  praise. 


LIBERTY. 

TO  nia  UOYAL  niOHNESS  FREDERICK,   PRINCE  OF  WALES. 

Sir,— When  I  roflect  upon  tliat  iciidy  coiulescension,  that 
pn'V«'iiliii!;  generosity,  with  wliieli  your  Koyal  1 1 igluiess  receiv- 
ed tlie  following  poem  under  your  proleclioii  ;  1  can  alone 
awirihe  it  to  the  recommendHtion  and  intlucnec  of  the  suhjcot. 


188  LIBERTY. 

la  you  the  cause  and  concerns  of  Liberty  have  so  zealous  a 
patron,  as  entitles  whatever  may  have  the  least  tendency  to 
promote  them,  to  the  distinction  of  your  favor.  And  who 
can  entertain  tliis  delightful  reflection,  without  feeling  a  pleas- 
ure  far  superior  to  that  of  the  fondest  author  ;  and  of  which 
all  true  lovers  of  their  country  must  participate?  To  behold 
the  noblest  dispositions  of  the  prince,  and  of  the  patriot,  unit- 
ed: an  overflowing  benevolence,  generosity,  an(i  candor  of 
heart,  joined  to  an  enlightened  zeal  for  Liberty,  an  intimate 
persuasion  that  on  it  depends  the  happiness  and  glory  both  of 
kings  and  people  :  to  see  tliese  shining  out  in  public  virtues,  as 
they  have  hitherto  smiled  in  all  the  social  lights  and  private 
accomplisliments  of  life,  is  a  prospect  tijat  cannot  but  inspire 
a  general  sentiment  of  satisfaction  and  gladness,  more  easy 
to  be  felt  than  expressed. 

If  the  following  attempt  to  trace  Liberty,  from  the  first  ages 
down  to  her  excellent  establishment  in  Great  Britain,  can  at 
all  merit  your  approbation,  and  prove  an  entertaiiunent  to 
your  Royal  Highness  ;  if  it  can  in  any  degree  answer  the  dig- 
nity of  the  subject,  and  of  the  name  under  wl)ich  I  presume 
to  shelter  it  ;  1  have  my  best  reward  :  particularly  as  it  affords 
me  an  opportunity  of  declaring  that  1  am,  with  the  greatest 
zeal  and  respect,  Sir,  your  Royal  Highness.'.s  most  <  bedient  and 
most  devoted  servant, 

James  Thomson. 

PART  I. 

ANCIENT  AND  MODERN  ITALY  COMPARED. 

Contents.  The  following  Poem  is  thrown  into  the  form  of  a 
Poetical  Vision — Its  scene,  the  ruins  of  ancient  Rome — 
The  Goddess  of  Liberty,  who  is  supposed  to  speali  througli  the 
whole,  appears,  cliaracterized  iis  British  Liberty — Gives 
view  of  ancient  Italy,  and  particulaily  of  Republican  Rome, 
in  all  her  magnificence  and  glory — This  contrasted  by  modern 
Italy  ;  its  valleys,  mountains,  culture,  cities,  people  :  the 
difference  appearing  strougesi  in  the  capital  city  Rome— 
The  ruins  of  the  great  work^  of  Liberty  more  magnificent 
than  the  borrowed  pomp  of  Oppression  ;  anu  from  tuem 
revived.  Sculpture,  Painting,  and  Arcliitcc^ture — The  old 
Romans  apostrophized,  with  regard  to  tlie  several  melan- 
choly changes  in  Italy  :  Hortice,  Tuily,  and  Virgil,  with 
regard  to  their  Tiber,  Tusculum,  and  Naples — That  once 
finest  and  most  ornamented  part  of  Italy,  all  along  the  coast 
of  Baiae,  how  changed— This  desolation  of  Italy  applied  to 
Britain — Address  to  the  Goddess  of  Liberty,  that  she  would 
deduce  from  the  fi^.^t  ages,  her  chief  establishments,  the  de- 
scription of  which  const Uute  the  subject  of  the  following  parts 
of  this  Poem — She  assents,  and  commands  what  she  says  to 


LIBERTV  159 

l)e  sung  in  Britain  ;  whose  happiness,  arising  from  freedom, 
and  a  limited  monarchy,  she  marks — An  immediate  Vision 
attends,  and  paints  her  words — Invocation. 

O  MY  lamented  Talbot !  *  while  with  thee 
The  Muse  gay  roved  the  glad  Hesperian  round. 
And  drew^  the  inspiring  breath  of  ancient  arts  ; 
Ah  !  little  thought  she  her  returning  verse 
Should  sing  our  darling  subject  to  thy  Shade. 
And  does  the  mystic  veil,  from  mortal  beam, 
Involve   those  eyes  where  every  virtue  smiled, 
And  all  thy  Father's  candid  spirit  shone  ? 
The  light  of  reason,  pure,  without  a  cloud  ; 
Full  of  the  generous  heart,  the  mild  regard  ; 
Honor  disdaining  blemish,  cordial  faith, 
And  limpid  truth,  that  looks  the  very  soul. 
But  to  the  death  of  mighty  nations  turn 
My  strain  ;  be  there  absorbed  the  private  tear.f 

♦Charles  Richard  Talbot,  Esq. ,  died  in  his  twenty-fifth 
year,  on  the  27th  September,  1773,  two  months  before  his  fath- 
er was  appointed  Lord  Chancellor. 

f  In  the  first  draught   of  this  tribute  to  the  memory  of  Mr. 
Talbot,  the  subject   was  extended   by   general  reflections  on 
death  and  future  stale,  which  Thomson  finally  rejected.     The 
original  lines  have  been  preserved  in  a   letler  from  Thomson 
to  his  friend  Dr.    Cranston,  dated   20th  October,    1773.     They 
are  tiius  introduced  :  "  I  will  conclude  these  thoughts  by  giv- 
mg  you  some   lines  of  a  copy  of  verses   1  wrote  on  my   friend 
Mr.  Talbot  s  death,  and  designed  at  first  to  be  prefixed  to  Liber 
ty,  i)ut  afterwards  reduced  to  those  you  see  stand  there.     Per- 
haps some  time  or  other  I  may  publi.sli  the  whole  : 
'  Be  then  the  starting  tear. 
Or  selfibh,  or  mistaken,  wiped  away. 
By  death  the  good,  from  reptile  matter  rais«d 
And  upward  .so.iring  to  superim  day, 
With  pity  hear  our  plaints,  witli  pity  see 
Our  ignorance  of  tear.s  ;  if  e'er,  indeed, 
Amid  the  woes  f)f  life,  they  quench  our  joys. 
Why  sliould  we  cloud  a  friend's  exalted  state 
With  idle  grief,  teiiaci(Misly  proloii^red 
Beyond  the  lonely  drops  that  frailty  sheds 
Surpriwd  ?     No  ;  rather  thence  less  fond  of  life^ 
Yet  still  the  lot  erijoyiiitr  heaven  allows, 
Attend  we,  cheerful    the  rejoining  hour. 
Children  of  Nature  !  let  us  not  reject, 


160  LIBERTY. 

Musing  I  lay  ;  warm  from  the  sacred  walks, 
Where  at  each  step  imagination  burns  : 
While  scattered  wide  around,  awful,  and  hoar, 
Lies,  a  vast  monument,  once  glorious  Rom«, 
The  tomb  of  empire  !     Ruins  !  that  efface 
Whate'er,  of  finished,  modern  pomp  can  boast. 

Snatched  by  these  wonders  to  that  world  where 
thought 
Unfettered  ranges.  Fancy's  magic  hand 
Ltd  me  anew  o'er  all  the  solemn  scene, 
Still  in  the  mind's  pure  eye  more  solemn  dressed  : 
When  straight,  methought,  the  fair  majestic  Power 
Of  Liberty  appeared.     Not,  as  of  old, 
Extended  in  her  hand  the  cap,  and  rod, 
Whose  slave-enlarging  touch  gave  double  life  :  ♦ 
But  her  bright  temples  bound  with  British  oak, 
And  naval  honors  nodded  on  her  brow. 
Sublime  of  port  :  loose  o'er  her  shoulder  flowed 
Her  sea-green  robe,  with  constellations  gay. 
An  island-goddess  now  ;  and  her  high  care 
The  Queen  of  isles,  the  mistress  of  the  main. 


Forward,  the  good  we  bave  for  what  we  want. 
Since  all  by  turns  must  spread  the  sable  sail, 
Driven  to  the  coast  that  never  makes  return, 
But  where  we  happy  hope  to  meet  again  ; 
Sooner  or  later,  a  few  anxious  years, 
Still  fluttering  on  the  wing,  not  much  imports. 
Eternal  Goodness  reigns  :  be  this  our  stay  ; 
A  subject,  for  the  past,  of  grateful  song, 
And,  for  the  future,  of  undrooping  hope.'" 
*Tlie  ceremony  of  enfranchising  a  slave  is  thus  described 
by   Dr.  Smith,  .Bovi.  Antiq:—"  ^\\ii   lictor  of  the   magistratus 
iaid  a   rod  (festuca)  on  the   head   of   the   slave,    accompanied 
with  certain  formal  words,  in  which  he  declared  that  he  was  a 
freeman,  exjare  Quiritium  ;  that  is,  thidicavlt  in  libertutem.  The 
master  in  the  mean  time  held  the  slave,  ami  after  he  had  pro- 
jouiiced  the  words  hunc  hominem  lihervm  volo,  he  turned  him 
round  (momeuto  turbinis  exit  Marcus   Dama,  Peksius,  Sat.  v. 
78)  and  let  him  go  (emrsit  ex  manu),   \vliciu;e  the  general  name 
of  the  act   of  manumission."     Tlie  cap  alluded  to  in  the   next 
was   the  Phrygian  cap,   which  the   manumitted    slavi'  put   on 
as  the  symbol  of  his  freedom. 


If  BERT  Y.  lil 

Biy  heart  beat  filial  transport  at  the  sight ; 
And,  as  she  moved  to  speak,  the  awakened  muse 
Listened  intense.     Awhile  she  looked  around, 
With  mournful  eye  the  well-known  ruins  marked, 
And  then,  her  sighs  repressinpf,  thus  began  : 

"Mine  are  these  wonders,  all  thou  seest  is  mine  ; 
But  ah,  how  changed  !  the  falling,  poor  remains 
Of  what  exalted  once  tlie  Ausonian  shore. 
Look    back  through    time :     and,    rising    from  tht 

gloom, 
Mark  the  dread  scene,  that  paints  whate'er  I  say. 

"  The  great  Republic  see  !  that  glowed,  sublime, 
With  the  mixed  freedom  of  a  thousand  states  ; 
Raised  on  the  tiirones  of  kings  her  curule  chair, 
And  by  her  fasces  awed  the  subject  world. 
See  busy  millions  quickening  all  the  land. 
With  cities  thronged,  and  teeming  culture  high  : 
For  nature  then  smiled  on  her  free-born  sons, 
And  poured  the  plenty  that  belongs  to  men. 
Behold,  the  country  cheering,  villas  rise. 
In  lively  prospect ;  by  the  secret  lapse 
Of  brooks  now  lost,  and  streams  renowned  in  song  ; 
In  XJmbria's  closing  vales,  or  on  the  brow 
Of  her  brown  hills  that  breatlie  the  scented  gale; 
On  Baiie's  viny  coast,  where  peaceful  seas, 
Fanned  by  kind  zephyrs,  ever  kissed  the  shore, 
And  sui'.s  unclouded  shine  through  })urest  air  : 
Or  in  the  spacious  neigliborliood  of  Rome  ; 
Far  shining  upward  to  the  Sabine  hills, 
To  Anio's  roar,  and  Tiber's  olive  shade  ; 
To  where  Preneste  lifts  her  airy  brow  ; 
Or  downward  spreading  to  the  sunny  shore. 
Where  Alba  br(!atlu's  the  freshness  of  the  main. 

"See  distant  mountains  leave  their  valleys  dry. 
And  o'er  the  jtroud  iVreade  th(;ir  trlbiitt;  pour, 
'I'o  lave  imperial  Rome.      For  ages  laid, 
Deep,  massy,  tiiin,  diverging  every  way, 
With  tombs  of  heroes  sacred,  see  her  roads, 
By  various  nations  trod,  and  supf>liant  kings. 
With  l«gions  flaming,  or  witli  tiiumph  gay. 


in  USEKTY. 

"  Full  in  the  center  of  these  wondrous  worki, 
The  pride  of  earth  !  Rome  in  her  glory  see  I 
Behold  her  demigods,  in  senate  met  ; 
All  head  to  counsel,  and  all  heart  to  act ; 
The  commonweal  inspiring  every  tongue  . 

With  fervent  eloquence,  unbribed,  and  bold  ; 
Ere  tame  Corruption  taught  the  servile  herd 
To  rank  obedient  to  a  master's  voice. 

"  Her  forum  see,  warm,  popular,  and  loud, 
In  trembling  wonder  hushed,  when  the  two  Sires,* 
As  they  the  private  father  greatly  quelled, 
Stood  up  the  public  fathers  of  the  state. 
See  Justice  judging  there,  in  human  shape, 
Hark  !  how  with  freedom's  voice  it   thunders  high, 
Or  in  soft  murmurs  sinks  to  Tully's  tongue. 

"  Her  tribes,  her  censu8,f  see  ;  her  generous  troopi^ 
"Whose  pay  was  glory,  and  their  best  reward 
Free  for  their  country  and  for  me  to  die  ; 
Ere  mercenary  murder  grew  a  trade. 

"  Mark,  as  the  purple  triumph  waves  along, 
The  highest  pomp  and  lowest  fall  of  life. 

"  Her  festive  games,  the  school  of  heroes,  see  : 
Her  Circus,  ardent  with  contending  youth  ; 
Her  street,  her  temples,  palaces,  and  baths, 
Full  of  fair  forms,  of  Beauty's  eldest  born, 
And  of  a  people  cast  in    virtue's  mold  ; 
While  sculpture  lives  around,  and  Asian  hills 
Lend  their  best  stores  to  heave  the  pillared  dome  ; 
All  that  to  Roman  strength  the  softer  touch 
Of  Grecian  art  can  join.     But  language  fail* 
To  paint  this  sun,  this  center  of  mankind. 
Where  every  virtue,  glory,  treasure,  art, 

*Luoius  Junius  Brutus,  and  Virginius. 

f  Tlie  tribes  were  tlic  cl;isses  into  whicli  tlie  Roman  citizens 
;ifere  divided  for  the  convenience  of  voting  in  elections,  and 
otlier  public  business,  at  tlie  Vomii'ui  trihuia.  The  census  was 
the  declaration  made  by  the  citizens  lielorc  the  censors  of  their 
names,  and  places  of  abode,  their  wives,  children,  domestics, 
tenants,  and  slaves,  with  an  exact  account  of  their  property  In 
quantity  and  quality. 


LIBERTY.  166 

Attracted  strong,  in  heightened  luster  met. 

"  Need  I  the  contrast  mark  ?  unjoyous  vievv  I 
A  land  in  all,  in  government  and  arts, 
In  virtue,  genius,  earth,  and  heaven,  reversed  ; 
Who  but  these  far  famed  ruins  to  behold, 
Proofs  of  a  peoj)le,  whose  heroic  aims 
Soared  far  above  the  little  selfish  sphere 
Of  doubting  modern  life  ;  who  but  inflamed 
With  classic  zeal,  these  consecrated  scenes 
Of  men  and  deeds  to  trace  ;  unhappy  land. 
Would  trust  the  winds,  and  cities  loose  of  sway  ? 

"  Are  these  the  vales,  that,  once,  exulthig  state« 
In  their  warm  bosom  fed  ?  Tlie  mountains  these, 
On  whose  high-blooming  sides  my  suns,  of  old, 
I  bred  to  glory  ?  These  dejected  towns. 
Where,  mean  and  sordid,  life  can  scarce  subsist, 
The  scenes  of  ancient  opulence  and  pomj)  ? 

"Come  !  by  whatever  sacred  name  disguised, 
Oppression,  come  !  and  in  thy  works  rejoice  ! 
See  nature's  richest  plains  to  putrid  fens 
Turned  by  thy  fury.*     From  their  cheerful  bounda, 
See  razed  the  enlivening  village,  farm,  and  seat. 
First,  rural  toil,  by  the  rapacious  hand 
Robbed  of  his  poor  reward,  resigned  the  plow  ; 
And  now  he  dares  not  turn  the  noxious  glebe. 
'Tis  thine  entire.     The  lonely  swain  himself, 
Who  loves  at  large  along  the  grassy  downs 
His  flocks  :o  pasture,  thy  drear  champaign  flies. 
Far  as  the  sickening  eye  can  swee})  around, 
'Tis  all  one  desert,  desolate,  and  gray. 
Grazed  by  the  sullen  buffalo  alone  ; 
And,  where  the  rank  uncultivated  growth 
Of  rotting  ages  taints  the  passing  gale, 
Beneath  the  baleful  blast  the  city  j)ines, 
Or  sinks  enfeebled,  or  infectccl  l^wrns  ; 
Beneath  it  mourns  the  solitary  road, 
Rolled  in  rude  mazes  (/er  the  abandoned  waste  ; 
While  ancient    ways,  ingulfecl,  arc    seen   no  more. 

♦The  Pontine  marshes,  find  thp  marslKis  of   Manturiisa. 


164  LIBERTY. 

"  Such  thjr  dire  plains,  thou  self-destroyer  !  foe 
To  humankind  !  thy  moiintaiiis  too,  profuse. 
Where  savage  nature  blooms,  seem  their  sad  plaint 
To  raise  against  thy  desolating  rod. 
There  on  the  breezy  brow,  where  thriving  states 
And  famous  cities,  once,  to  the  pleased  sun. 
Far  other  scenes  of  rising  culture  spread, 
Pale  shine  thy  ragged  towns.     Neglected  round, 
Each  harvest  pines  ;  the  livid,  lean  produce 
Of  heartless  labor  :  while  thy  hated  joys. 
Not  proper  pleasure,  lift  the  lazy  hand. 
Better  to  sink  in  sloth  the  woes  of  life. 
Than  wake  their  rage  with  unavailing  toil. 
Hence,  drooping  art  almost  to  nature  leaves 
The  rude  unguided  year.     Thin  wave  the  gifts 
Of  yellow  Ceres,  thin  the  radiant  blush 
Of  orchard  reddens  in  the  warmest  ray. 
To  weedy  wildness  run,  no  rural  wealth 
(Such  as  dictators  fed)  *  the  garden  pours. 
Crude  the  wild  olive  flows,  and  foul  the  vine  ; 
Nor  juice  Csecubian,  or  Falernian,  more. 
Streams  life  and  joy,  save  in  the  muse's  bowl. 
Unseconded  by  art,  the  spinning  race 
Draw  the  bright  thread  in  vain,  and  idly  toil. 
In  vain,  forlorn  in  wilds,  the  citron  V^lows  ; 
And  flowering  plants  perfume  the  desert  gale. 
Through  the  vile  thorn  the  tender  myrtle  twines  : 
Inglorious  droops  the  laurel,  dead  to  song. 
And  long  a  stranger  to  the  hero's  brow. 

"Nor  half  thy  triumph  this  ;  cast,  from  brute  fields 
Into  the  haunts  of  men  thy  ruthless  eye. 
There,  buxom  Plenty  never  turns  her  horn  ; 
The  grace  and  virtue  of  exterior  life. 
No  clean  convenience  reigns  ;  e'en  sleep  itself, 
Least  delicate  of  powers,  reluctant,  there, 
Lays  on  the  bed  impure  his  heavy  head. 
Thy  horrid  walk  !  dead,  empty,  unadorned, 

*  Quintus  Ciuciunatus  Dictator  est  factus,  qui  agrum  quatuor 
Jugerura  possidens.  nianibus  colebat. 


LIBERTY.  Iti 

See  streets  whose  echoes  never  know  the  voice 
Of  cheerful  hurry,  commerce  many-tongued, 
And  art  mechanic  at  his  various  task, 
Fervent,  employed.     Mark  the  desponding  race, 
Of  occnpSktion  void,  as  void  of  hope  ; 
Hope,  the  glad  ray,  glanced  from  Eternal  Good, 
That  life  enlivens,  and  exalts  its  powers, 
With  views  of  fortune  —  madness  all  to  them  I 
By  the  relentless  seized  their  better  joys, 
To  the  soft  aid  of  cordial  airs  they  fly. 
Breathing  a  kind  oblivion  o'er  their  woes, 
And  love  and  music  melt  their  souls  away. 
From  feeble  Justice,  see  how  rash  Revenge, 
Trembling,  the  balance  snatches  ;  and  the  sword. 
Fearful  himself,  to  venial  ruffians  gives. 
See  where  God's  altar,  nursing  murder,  stands. 
With  the  red  touch  of  dark  assassins  stained. 

"  But  chief  let  Rome,  the  mighty  city  !  speak 
The  full-exerted  genius  of  thy  reign. 
Behold  her  rise  amid  the  lifeless  waste. 
Expiring  nature  all  corrupted  round  ; 
While  the  lone  Tiber,  through  tlie  desert  plain, 
Winds  his  waste  stores,  and  sullen  sweeps  along. 
Patched  from  my  fragments,  in  unsolid  pomp, 
Mark  how  the  temple  glares  ;  and  artful  dressed, 
Amusive,  draws  the  superstitious  train. 
Mark  how  the  palace  lifts  a  lying  front, 
Concealing  often,  in  magnific  jail, 
Proud  want  ;  a  deep  unanimated  gloom  ! 
And  oft  adjoining  to  the  dread  abode 
Of  misery,  whose  melancholy  walls 
Seem  its  voracious  grandeur  to  reproach. 
Within  the  city  Ijounds  the  desert  see  ,' 
See  the  rank  \\W(\  o'er  subterranean  roofs. 
Indecent,  spread  ;  beneath  whose  I'letted  gold 
It  once,  exulting,  flowed.     The  people  mark, 
Matchless,  while  lirccl  })y  me  ;   to  public  good 
Inexorably  firm,  just,  generous,  and  brave, 
Afraid  of  nothing  but  unworthy  life, 
Elate  with  glory,  and  heroic;  soul 


IM  LIBERTY. 

Known  to  the  vulgar  breast  :  —  beLold  them  now 
A  thin  despairing  number,  all-subdued, 
The  slaves  of  slaves,  by  superstition  fooled, 
By  vice  unmanned  and  a  licentious  rule  ; 
In  guile  ingenious,  and  in  murder  brave. 
Such  in  one  land,  beneath  the  same  fair  clime, 
Thy  sons,  Oppression,  are  ;  and  such  were  mine. 

"^  E'en  with  thy  labored  pomp,  for  whose  vain  show 
Deluded  thousands  starve,  all  age-begrimed. 
Torn,  robbed,  and  scattered  in  unnumbered  sacks, 
And  by  the  tempest  of  two  thousand  years 
Continual  shaken,  let  my  ruins  vie. 
These  roads  that  yet  the  Roman  hand  assert, 
Beyond  the  weak  repair  of  modern  toil  ; 
These  fractured  arches,  that  the  chiding  stream 
No  more  delighted  hear  ;  these  rich  remains 
Of  marbles  now  unknown,  where  shines  imbibed 
Each  parent  ray  ;  these  massy  columns,  hewed 
From  Afric's  furthest  shore  ;  one  granite  all, 
These  obelisks  high-towering  to  the  sky. 
Mysterious  marked  with  dark  Egyptian  lore  ; 
These  endless  wonders  that  this  sacred  way 
Illumine  still,  and  consecrate  to  fame  ; 
These  fountains,  vases,  urns,  and  statues,  charged 
With  the  fine  stores  of  art-completing  Greece. 
Mine  is,  besides,  thy  every  later  boast  : 
Thy  Buonarotis,  thy  Palladios  mine  ; 
And  mine  the  fair  designs,  which  Raphael's  soul 
O'er  the  live  canvas,  emanating,  breathed. 

"  What  would  you  say,  ye  conquerors  of  earth  I 
Ye  Romans  !  could  you  raise  the  laureled  head  ; 
Could  you  the  country  see,  by  seas  of  blood, 
And  the  dread  toil  of  ages,  won  so  dear  ; 
Your  pride,  your  triumph,  your  supreme  delight  I 
For  whose  defense  oft,  in  the  doubtful  hour, 
You  rushed  with  rapture  down  the  gulf  of  fate, 
Of  death  ambitious  !  till  by  awful  deeds. 
Virtues,  and  courage,  that  amaze  mankind. 
The  queen  of  nations  rose,  ])ossessed  of  all 
Which  nature,  art,  and  glory  could  bestow  ; 


LIBERTY.  W 

What  would  you  say  deep  in  the  last  abyss 

Of  slavery,  vice,  and  unambitious  want, 

Thus  to  behold  her  sunk  ?  your  crowded  plains, 

Void  of  their  cities  ;  unadorned  your  liills  ; 

Ungraced  your  lakes  ;  your  ports  to  ships  unknown  i 

Your  lawless  floods,  and  your  abandoned  streams  ; 

These  could  you  know  —  these  could  you  love  again? 

Thy  Tiber,  Horace,  could  it  now  inspire, 

Content,  poetic  ease,  and  rural  joy. 

Soon  bursting  into  song  ;  while  through  the  grove* 

Of  headlong  Anio,  dashing  to  the  vale, 

In  many  a  tortured  stream,  you  mused  along  ? 

Yon  wild  retreat,*  where  superstition  dreams, 

Could,  Tully,  you  yourTusculum  believe? 

And  could  you  deem  yon  naked  hills,  that  form, 

Famed  in  old  song,  the  ship-forsaken  bay,  f 

Your  Formian  shore  ?  Once  the  delight  of  earth. 

Where  art  and  nature,  ever  smiling,  joined 

On  the  gay  land  to  lavish  all  their  stores. 

How  changed,  how  vacant,  Virgil,  wide  around, 

Would  now  your  Naples  seem  !  disastered  less 

By  black  Vesuvius  thundering  o'er  the  coast 

His  midnight  earthquakes,  and  his  mining  fires, 

Than  by  despotic  rage,  |  thai  inward  gnaws 

A  native  foe  ;  a  foreign,  tears  without. 

First  from  your  flattered  Cicsars  this  began  : 

Till,  doomed  to  tyrants  an  eternal  prey, 

Thin  peopled  spreads,  at  last,  tlie  siren  plain,  § 

That  the  dire  soul  of  Hannibal  disarmed  ; 

And  wrapped  in  weeds  the  shore  \\  of  Venus  lies. 

♦Tusculiim  is  reckoned  to  have  stood  at  aplac;;  now  called 
Grotta  f\'rrata  a  convent  of  monks. 

f  The  hay  of  Mola  (anciently  Fonniae)  into  wliicii  Homer 
brings  Ulysses  and  his  companions.  Near  Formise  Cicerc 
liad  a  villa. 

f  Naples,  then  under  the  Austrian  government. 
Campagna  Felice,  adjoining  to  (Japuii. 
The  roast  of  IJaise,    which  was  fornurly  adorned  with  the 
works  mentioned  in   ihe   following  lines  ;    and   where,  amidst 
many  magnificent  ruins,   those  of  a  temple   erected  to  Venua 
are  still  to  be  seco. 


188  LIBERTY. 

There  Baise  sees  no  more  the  joyous  throng, 
Her  bank  all  beaming  with  the  pride  of  Rome  ; 
No  generous  vines  now  bask  along  the  hills, 
Where  sport  the  breezes  of  the  Tyrrhene  main  : 
With  baths  and  temples  mixed,  no  villas  rise  ; 
Nor,  art-sustained  amid  reluctant  waves, 
Draw  the  cool  murmurs  of  the  breathing  deep; 
No  spreading  ports  their  sacred  arms  extend  ,• 
No  mighty  moles  the  big  intrusive  storm. 
From  the  calm  station,  roll  resounding  back. 
An  almost  total  desolation  sits, 
A  dreary  stillness,  saddening  o'er  the  coast ; 
Where,  when  soft  suns  and  tepid  winters  rose, 
Rejoicing  crowds  inhaled  the  balm  of  peace  ; 
Where  citied  hill  to  hill  reflected  blazed  ; 
And  where,  with  Ceres,  Bacchus  wont  to  hold 
A  genial  strife.     Her  youthful  form,  robust. 
E'en  Nature  yields,  by  fire  and  earthquake  rent ; 
Whole  stately  cities  in  the  dark  abrupt 
Swallowed  at  once,  or  vile  in  rubbish  laid, 
A  nest  for  serpents  ;  from  the  red  abyss 
New  hills,  explosive,  thrown  ;  the  Lucrine  lake 
A  Keedy  pool  ;  and  all  to  Cuma's  point, 
The  sea  recovering  his  usurped  domain, 
And  poured  triumphant  o'er  the  buried  dome. 

"  Hence,  Britain,  learn  ;  my  best  established,  last 
And  more  than  Greece,  or  Rome,  my  steady  reign  ; 
The  land  where,  King  and  People  equal  bound 
By  guardian  laws,  my  fullest  blessings  flow  ; 
And  where  my  jealous  unsubmitting  soul. 
The  dread  of  tyrants  !  burns  in  every  breast ; 
Learn  hence,  if  such  the  miserable  fate 
Of  an  heroic  race,  the  masters  once 
Of  human-kind,  what,  when  deprived  of  MB, 
How  grievous  must  be  thine  ?  in  spite  of  clime*, 
Whose  sun-enlivened  ether  wakes  the  soul 
To  higher  powers  ;  in  spite  of  happy  soils. 
That,  but  by  labor's  slightest  aid  impelled. 
With  treasures  teem  to  thy  cold  clime  unknown  ; 
If  there  desponding  fail  the  common  arts, 


LIBERTY,  161 

And  sustenance  of  life,  could  life  itself. 
Far  less  a  thoughtless  tyrant's  hollow  pomp, 
Subsist  with  thee  ?  against  depressing  skies, 
Joined  to  full-spread  Oppression's  cloudy  brow, 
How  could  thy  spirits  hold  ?  where  vigor  find, 
Forced  fruits  to  tear  from  their  unnative  soil  ? 
Or,  storing  every  harvest  in  thy  ports, 
To  plow  the  dreadful  all-producing  wave  ?" 

Here  paused  the  Goddess.     By  the  cause  assured. 
In  trembling  accents  thus  I  moved  my  prayer  : 

"  Oh  first,  and  most  benevolent  of  powers  ! 
Come  from  eternal  splendors,  here  on  earth. 
Against  despotic  pride,  and  rage,  and  lust. 
To  shield  mankind  ;  to  raise  them  to  assert 
The  native  rights  and  honor  of  their  race  ; 
Teach  me,  thy  lowest  subject,  but  in  zeal 
Yielding  to  none,  the  progress  of  thy  reign. 
And  with  a  strain  from  thee  enrich  the  Muse. 
As  thee  alone  she  serves,  her  patron,  thou. 
And  great  inspirer  be  !  then  will  she  joy, 
Though  narrow  life  her  lot,  and  private  shade ; 
And  when  her  venal  voice  she  barters  vile. 
Or  to  thy  open,  or  thy  secret,  foes, 
May  ne'er  those  sacred  raptures  touch  her  more, 
By  slavish  hearts  unfelt  !  and  may  her  song 
Sink  in  oblivion  with  the  nameless  crew  ! 
Vermin  of  state  !  to  thy  o'erflowing  light 
That  owe  their  being,  yet  betray  thy  cause." 

Then,  condescending  kind,  the  heavenly  Power 
ReVirned  :  —  "What  liere,  suggested  by  the  scene, 
I  slight  unfold,  record  and  sing  at  home. 
In  that  blessed  isle,  where  (so  we  s[)irits  move) 
With  one  quick  effort  of  my  will  I  iuii. 
There  Truth,  unlicensed,  walks  ;  and  dares  accost 
E'en  kings  tlienis(;lv('s,  the  monarclis  of  the  free  1 
Fixed  on  my  rock,  tliere,  an  indulgent  race 
O'er  Britons  wield  t  li(>  scepter  of  their  choice  ; 
And  there,  to  finish  wliat  liis  sires  began, 
A  prince  *  behold  !  for  nie  who  burns  sincere, 

*  Frederick,   Prin(;e  of  Wales. 


176  UBEkTV. 

E'en  with  a  subject's  zeal.     He  my  great  work 

Will  parent-like  sustain  ;  and  added  give 

The  touch  the  Graces  and  the  Muses  owe. 

For  Britain's  glory  swells  his  panting  breast ; 

And  ancient  arts  he  emulous  revolves  ; 

His  pride  to  let  the  smiling  heart  abroad, 

Through  clouds  of  pomp,  that  but  conceal  the  man  ; 

To  please  his  pleasure  ;  bounty  his  delight  ; 

And  all  the  soul  of  Titus  dwells  in  him." 

Hail,  glorious  theme  !  but  how,  alas  !  shall  verse, 
From  the  crude  stories  of  mortal  language  drawn, 
How  faint  and  tedious,  sing,  what,  piercing  deep, 
The  Goddess  flashed  at  once  upon  my  soul. 
For,  clear  precision  all,  the  tongue  of  gods 
Is  harmony  itself  ;  to  every  ear 
Familiar  known,  like  light  to  every  eye. 
Meantime  disclosing  ages,  as  she  spoke. 
In  long  succession  poured  their  empires  forth  ; 
Scene  after  scene,  the  human  drama  spread  ; 
And  still  the  embodied  picture  rose  to  sight. 

Oh  THOU  !  to  whom  the  Muses  owe  their  flame; 
Who  bidd'st,  beneath  the  pole,  Parnassus  rise. 
And  Hippocrene  flow  ;  with  thy  bold  ease. 
The  striking  force,  the  lightning  of  thy  thought, 
And   thy   strong    phrase,    that   rolls    profound   and 

clear  ; 
Oh,  gracious  Goddess  !  re-inspire  my  song  ; 
While  I,  to  nobler  than  poetic  fame 
Aspiring,  thy  commands  to  Britons  bear. 


PART  n. 

GREECE. 


Contents. — Liberty  traced  from  the  pastoral  ages,  and  the 

first  uniting  of  ueighlwring  families  inio  civil  government  — 
The  several  establishments  of  Liberty,  in  Egypt,  Persia, 
Phoenicia,  Palestine,  slightly  touched  upon,  down  to  her  great 
establishment  in  Greece — Geographial  description  of  Greece — 
Bparta  and  Athens,  the  two  principal  stiites  of  Greece, 
desrcribed — Influenceof  liberty  over  all  the  Grecian  states  ; 
with  regard  to  their  Government,  their  Politeness,  their  Vir- 


LIBERTY.  171 

tuet,  their  Arts,  and  Sciences — The  vast  superiority  it  gave 
tbein,  in  point  of  force  and  bravery,  over  the  Persians,  exem- 
plified by  the  action  of  Thermopylae,  the  Imttie  of  Marathon, 
and  the  retreat  of  the  Ten  Thousand— Its  full  exertion,  and 
most  beautiful  effects  in  Athens — Lilx-riy  tin-  source  of  free 
Philosophy — The  various  scliool.s  which  took  their  rise  from 
Socrates — Euumeratiou  of  Fine  Arts  :  P^loqueiice,  Poelr}', 
Music,  Sculpture,  Painting  and  ArchitccUin;  ;  the  effects  of 
Liberty  in  Greece,  and  brought  to  the  uiinost  perfectioc 
there — Transition  to  the  modern  state  of  (Ireece— Wlij 
Liberty  declined,  and  was  at  last  entirely  lost  among  th< 
Greeks — Concluding  Reflection. 

Thus  spoke  the  Goddess  of  the  fearless  eye  ; 
And  at  her  voice,  renewed,  the  Vision  rose  ; 

"  First,  in  the  dawn  of  tinae,  with  eastern  swains, 
In  woods,  and  tents,  and  cottages,  I  lived  ; 
While  on  from  plain  to  plain  they  led  their  flocks, 
In  search  of  clearer  spring,  and  fresher  field. 
These,  as  increasing  families  disclosed 
The  tender  state,  I  taught  an  equal  sway. 
Few  were  offenses,  properties,  and  laws. 
Beneath  the  rural  portal,  pain:  o'erspread, 
The  father  senate  mut.     There  Justice  dealt. 
With  reason  then  anw  equity  the  same, 
Free  as  the  common  air.  lier  prom])t  decree  ; 
Nor  yet  had  stained  her  sword  witli  subjects'  blood. 
The  simpler  arts  were  all  their  simple  wants 
Had  urged  to  light.     But  instant,  tliose  supplied. 
Another  set  of  fonder  wants  arose, 
And  other  arts  with  them  of  finer  aim  ; 
Till,  from  refining  want  to  want  im])ellcd, 
The  mind  by  thinking  pushed  lur  latent  powers. 
And  life  began  to  glow,  and  arts  to  sliine. 

"At  first,  on  brutes  alone  the  rustic  war 
Launched  the  rude  spear  ,  swift,  as  he  glared  along, 
On  the  grim  lion,  or  the  robber  wolf  : 
For  then  the  young  sportive  life  was  void  of  toil, 
Demanding  little  and  with  little  {(leased. 
But  when  to  maiiliood  grown,  and  endless  joyg, 
Led  on  by  equal  toils,  the  bosom  tired  ; 
Ixjwd  lazy  rapine  broke  primeval  peace. 
And,  hid  it)  caves  and  idle  forests  drear, 


17f  LIBERTY. 

From  the  lone  pilgrim,  and  the  wandering  swain, 
Seized  what  he  durst  not  earn.     Then  brother's  blood 
F'irst,  horrid,  smoked  on  the  polluted  skies. 
Awful  in  justice,  then  the  burning  youth, 
Led  by  their  tempered  sires,  on  lawless  men. 
The  last  worst  monsters  of  the  shaggy  wood, 
Turned  the  keen  arrow,  and  the  sharpened  spear. 
Then  war  grew  glorious.     Heroes  then  arose  ; 
Who,  scorning  coward  self,  for  others  lived, 
Toiled  for  their  ease,  and  for  their  safety  bled. 
West,  with  the  living  day,  to  Greece  I  came  : 
Earth  smiled  beneath  my  beam  ;  the  Muse  before 
Sonorous  flew,  that  low  till  then  in  woods 
Had  tuned  the  reed,  and  sighed  the  shepherd's  pain  ; 
But  now,  to  sing  heroic  deeds,  she  swelled 
A  nobler  note,  and  bade  the  banquet  burn. 

"  For  Greece  my  sons  of  Egypt  I  forsook  ; 
A  boastful  race,  that  in  the  vain  abyss 
Of  fabling  ages  loved  to  lose  their  source, 
And  with  their  river  traced  it  from  the  skies. 
While  there  my  laws  alone  despotic  reigned, 
And  king,  as  well  as  people,  proud  obeyed  ; 
I  taught  them  science,  virtue,  wisdom,  arts  ; 
By  poets,  sages,  legislators  sought. 
The  school  of  polished  life,  and  human  kind. 
But  when  mysterious  Superstition  came. 
And,  with  her  Civil  Sister  *  leagued,  iTivolved 
In  studied  darkness  the  desponding  mind  ; 
Then  Tyrant  Power  the  righteous  scourge  unloosed  : 
For  yielded  reason  speaks  the  soul  a  slave. 
Instead  of  useful  works,  like  nature's, —  great. 
Enormous,  cruel  wonders  crushed  the  land  ; 
And  round  a  tyrant's  tomb,f  who  none  deserved, 
For  one  vile  carcass  perished  countless  lives. 
Then  the  great  Dragon, J  couched  amid  his  floods, 
Swelled  his   fierce  heart,   and  cried,  "  This   flood  if 

mine, 
■Tis  I  that  bid  it  flow."  But,  undeceived, 

•CiTil  tyrauny.    f  The  Pyaniicls.     %  The  tyrants  of  Egypt. 


His  frenay  soon  the  proud  blasphemer  felt ; 

Felt  that,  without  my  fertilizing  power, 

Suns  lost  their  force,  and  Niles  o'erflowed  in  vain, 

Naught  could  retard  me  :  nor  the  frugal  state 

Of  rising  Persia,  sober  in  extreme, 

Beyond  the  pitch  of  man,  and  thence  reversed 

Into  luxurious  waste  ;  nor  yet  the  ports 

Of  old  Phoenicia,  first  for  letters  famed, 

That  paint  the  voice,  and  silent  speak  to  sight  ; 

Of  arts  prime  source,  and  guardian  !  by  fair  stars, 

First  tempted  out  into  the  lonely  deep  ; 

To  whom  I  first  disclosed  mechanic  arts. 

The  winds  to  conquer,  to  subdue  the  waves, 

With  all  the  peaceful  power  of  ruling  trade  ; 

Earnest  of  Britain.     Nor  by  these  retained  ; 

Nor  by  the  neighboring  land,  whose  palmy  shore 

The  silver  Jordan  laves.     Before  me  lay 

The  promised  Land  of  Arts,  and  urged  my  flight. 

"  Hail,  Nature's  utmost  boast !  unrivaled  Greece  1 
My  fairest  reign  !  where  every  power  benign 
Conspired  to  blow  the  flower  of  human  kind. 
And  lavished  all  that  genius  can  inspire. 
Clear  sunny  climates,  by  the  breezy  main, 
Ionian  or  JEgean,  tempered  kind  ; 
Light,  airy  soils  ;  a  country  ricli,  and  gay  ; 
Broke  into  hills  with  balmy  odors  crowned, 
And,  bright  with  purple  harvest,  joyous  vales  ; 
Mountains,    and    streams,    where    verse   spontaneous 

flowed  ; 
Whence  deemed  by  wondering  men  the  seat  of  gods, 
And  still  the  mountains  and  the  streams  of  song. 
All  that  boon  Nature  could  luxuriant  pour 
Of  high  materials,  and  my  ri'stlcss  Arts 
Frame  into  finished  life.     How  many  states, 
And  clustering  towns,  and  monuments  of  lame. 
And  scenes  of  glorious  deecls,  in  little  bounds — - 
From  the  rough  tract  of  bending  mountains,  beat 
By  Adria's  liere,  there  by  yEgean  waves  ; 
To  where  the  deej)  adorning  Cyclade  Isles 
In  shining  prospect  rise,  and  on  the  shora 


m  LIBERTY, 

Of  furthest  Crete  resounds  the  Libyan  main. 

"  O'er  all  two  rival  cities  reared  the  brow, 
And  balanced  all.     Spread  on  Eurotas'  banl^ 
Amid  a  circle  of  soft  rising  hills, 
The  patient  Sparta  one  ;  the  sober,  hard, 
And  man-subduing  city  ;  which  no  shape 
Of  pain  could  conquer,  nor  of  pleasure  charm, 
Lycurgus  there  built,  on  the  solid  base 
Of  equal  life,  so  well  a  tempered  state  ; 
Where  mixed  each  government,  in  such  just  poiae ; 
Each  power  so  checking,  and  supporting  each  ; 
That  firm  for  ages,  and  unmoved,  it  stood. 
The  fort  of  Greece  !  without  one  giddy  hour, 
One  shock  of  faction,  or  of  party  rage. 
For,  drained  the  springs  of  wealth,  Corruption  there 
Lay  withered  at  the  root.     Thrice  happy  land  1 
Had  not  neglected  art,  with  weedy  vice 
Confounded,  sunk.     But  if  Athenian  arts 
Loved  not  the  soil ;  yet  there  the  calm  abode 
Of  wisdom,  virtue,  philosophic  ease. 
Of  manly  sense  and  wit,  in  frugal  phrase 
Confined,  and  pressed  into  Laconic  force. 
There  too,  by  rooting  thence  still  treacherous  self, 
The  Public  and  the  Private  grew  the  same. 
The  children  of  the  nursing  Public  all, 
And  at  its  table  fed  ;  for  that  they  toiled, 
For  that  they  lived  entire,  and  even  for  that 
The  tender  mother  urged  her  son  to  die. 

"  Of  softer  genius,  but  not  less  intent 
To  seize  the  palm  of  empire,  Athens  rose. 
Where,  with  bright  marbles  big  and  future  pompf 
Hymettus  spread,  amid  the  scented  sky. 
His  thymy  treasures  to  the  laboring  bee. 
And  to  botanic  hand  the  stores  of  health  ; 
Wrapt  in  a  soul-attenuating  clime. 
Between  Ilissus  and  Cephissus  glowed 
This  hive  of  science,  shedding  sweets  divine. 
Of  active  arts,  and  animated  arms. 
There,  passionate  for  me,  an  easy-moved, 
A  quick,  refined,  a  delicate,  humane, 


LIBERTY,  175 

Enlightened  people  reigned.     Oft  on  the  brink 
Of  ruin,  hurned  by  the  charm  of  speech, 
Enforcing  hasty  counsel  immature^ 
Tottered  the  rash  Democracy  ;  unpoised, 
And  by  the  rage  devoured,  that  ever  tears 
A  populace  unequal  ;  part  too  rich, 
And  part  or  fierce  with  want,  or  abject  grown. 
Solon  at  last,  their  mild  restorer,  rose  ; 
Allayed  the  tempest ;  to  the  calm  of  laws 
Reduced  the  settling  whole  ;  and,  with  the  weight 
Which  the  two  senates*  to  the  public  lent, 
As  with  an  anchor,  fixed  the  driving  state. 

"  Nor  was  my  forming  care  to  these  confined. 
For  emulation  through  the  whole  I  poured, 
Noble  contention  !  who  should  most  excel 
In  government  well  poised,  adjusted  best 
To  public  weal  ;  in  countries  cultured  high  ; 
In  ornamented  towns,  where  order  reigns, 
Free  social  life,  and  polished  manners  fair  ; 
In  exercise,  and  arms  ;  arms  only  drawn 
For  common  Greece,  to  quell  the  Persian  pride  ; 
In  moral  science,  and  in  graceful  arts. 
Hence  as  for  glory  peacefully  they  strove. 
The  prize  grew  greater,  and  the  prize  of  all. 
By  contest  brightened,  hence  the  radiant  youth, 
Poured  every  beam  ;  by  generous  pride  inflamed, 
Felt  every  ardor  burn  :  their  great  reward 
The  verdant  wreath,  f  which  sounding  Pisa  J  gave. 

"  Hence  flourished  Greece  ;  and  hence  a  race  of  men, 
\8  gods  by  conscious  future  times  adored  : 
In  whom  each  virtue  wore  a  smiling  air. 


•  The  Areopagus,  or  Supreme  Court  of  Judicature,  which 
Solon  reformed  and  improved  :  and  the  council  of  Four  Hun- 
dred, by  him  instituted.  In  this  {•ouucil  all  iifTairs  of  state 
were  deliberated,  before  they  came  to  be  voted  in  the  assembly 
of  the  people. 

f  The  prize  at  the  Olympic  games  was  a  wreath  of  wild 
olive. 

f:  Or  Olympla,   the  citj  where  the  Olympic  games   were 
ebrated. 


17»  LIBERTY. 

Each  science  shed  o'er  life  a  friendly  light, 
Each  art  was  nature.     Spartan  valor  hence, 
At  the  famed  pass,*  firm  as  an  isthmus  stood  ; 
And  the  whole  eastern  ocean,  waving  far 
As  eye  conld  dart  its  vision,  nobly  checked. 
While  in  extended  battle,  at  the  field 
Of  Marathon,  my  keen  Athenians  drove 
Before  their  ardent  band  a  host  of  slaves. 

"  Hence  through  the  continent  ten  thousand  Greeks 
Urged  a  retreat,  whose  glory  not  the  prime 
Of  victories  can  reach.     Deserts,  in  vain. 
Opposed  their  course  ;  and  hostile  lands,  unknown  ; 
And  deep  rapacious  floods,  dire  banked  with  death  ; 
And  mountains,  in  whose  jaws  destruction  grinned  ; 
Hunger,  and  toil  ;  Armenian  snows,  and  storms  ; 
And  circling  myriads  still  of  barbarous  foes. 
Greece  in  their  view,  and  glory  yet  untouched. 
Their  steady  column  pierced  their  scattering  herds, 
Which  a  whole  empire  poured  ;  and  held  its  way 
Ti'iumphant,  by  the  sage-exalted  Chief 
Fired  and  sustained.     Oh  light  and  force  of  mind, 
Almost  almighty  in  severe  extremes  ! 
The  sea  at  last  from  Colchian  mountains  seen. 
Kind-hearted  transport  round  their  captains  threw 
The  soldiers'  fond  embrace  ;  o'erflowed  their  eyes 
With  tender  floods,  and  loosed  the  general  voice 
To  cries  resounding  loud  — '  The  sea  !  The  sea  ! ' 

"  In  Attic  bounds  hence  heroes,  sages,  wits. 
Shone  thick  as  stars,  the  milky  way  of  Greece  ! 
And  though  gay  wit,  and  pleasing  grace  was  theirs, 
All  the  soft  modes  of  elegance,  and  ease  ; 
Yet  was  not  courage  less,  the  patient  touch 
Of  toiling  art,  and  disquisition  deep. 

"  My  spirit  pours  a  vigor  through  the  soul, 
The  unfettered  thought  with  energy  inspires, 
Invincible  in  arts,  in  the  bright  field 
Of  nobler  Science,  as  in  that  of  Arms, 
Athenians  thus  not  less  intrepid  burst 

X  The  Straits  of  Thennopylse. 


LIBERTY.  IW 

The  bonds  of  tyrant  darkness,  than  they  spumed 

The  Persian  chains  ;  while  through  the  city  full 

Of  mirthful  quarrel  and  of  witty  war, 

Incessant  struggled  taste,  refining  taste, 

And  friendly  free  discussion,  calling  forth 

From  the  fair  jewel  Truth  its  latent  ray. 

O'er  all  shone  out  the  great  Athenian  Sage,  * 

And  Father  of  Philosophy  :  the  sun, 

From  whose  white  blaze  emerged,  each  various  sect 

Took  various  tints,  but  with  diminished  beam. 

Tutor  of  Athens  !  he,  in  every  street, 

Dealt  priceless  treasure  :  goodness  his  delight, 

Wisdom  his  wealth,  and  glory  his  reward. 

Deep  through  the  human  heart,  with  playful  art, 

His  simple  question  stole  ;  as  into  truth. 

And  serious  deeds,  he  smiled  the  laughing  race  ; 

Taught  moral  happy  life,  whate'er  can  bless. 

Or  grace  mankind  ;  and  what  he  taught  he  was. 

Compounded  high,  though  plain,  his  doctrine  broke 

In  different  schools  :  in  bold  poetic  phrase 

Of  figured  Plato  ;  Xenophon's  pure  strain, 

Like  the  clear  brook  that  steals  along  the  vale  ; 

Dissecting  truth,  the  Stagyrite's  keen  eye  ; 

The  exalted  Stoic  pride  ;  the  Cynic  sneer  ; 

The  slow-consenting  Academic  doubt  ;  \ 

And,  joining  bliss  to  virtue,  the  glad  ease 

Of  Epicurus,  seldom  understood. 

They,  ever  candid,  reason  still  opposed 

To  reason  ;  and,  since  virtue  was  their  aim. 

Each  by  sure  practice  tried  to  prove  his  way 

The  best.     Then  stood  untouched  the  solid  base 

Of  Liberty,  the  liberty  of  mind  ; 

For  systems  yet,  and  soul-enslaving  creeds, 

Slept  with  the  monsters  of  succeeding  times. 

From  priestly  darkness  s[)rutig  the  enlitrhtening  art« 

Of  fire,  and  sword,  and  rage,  and  horrid  names. 

•  Socrates. 

+  Acndtmia  of  Athens  was  thn   Oymnafiium    in   the  suburhs 
where  Plato  taught ;  hence  his  disciplcH  were  called  Arad^mux 


tit  LIBERTY. 

"  O  Greece  !  thou  sapient  nurse  of  finer  arts  ! 
"Which  to  bright  science  blooming  fancy  bore  ; 
Be  this  thy  praise,  that  thou,  and  thou  alone, 
In  these  hast  led  the  way,  in  these  excelled, 
Crowned  with  the  laurel  of  assenting  Time. 

"  In  thy  full  language,  speaking  mighty  things  ; 
Like  a  clear  torrent  close,  or  else  diffused 
A  broad  majestic  stream,  and  rolling  on 
Through  all  the  winding  harmony  of  sound  : 
In  it  the  power  of  eloquence,  at  large, 
Breathed  the  persuasive  or  pathetic  soul. 
Stilled  by  degrees  the  democratic  storm, 
Or  bade  it  threatening  rise,  and  tyrants  shook, 
Flushed  at  the  head  of  their  victorious  troops  ; 
In  it  the  Muse,  her  fury  never  quenched. 
By  mean  unyielding  phrase  ;  or  jarring  sound, 
Her  unconfined  divinity  displayed  ; 
And,  still  harmonious,  formed  it  to  her  will. 
Or  soft  depressed  it  to  the  shepherd's  moan, 
Or  raised  it  swelling  to  the  tongue  of  gods. 

"  Heroic  song  was  thine  ;  the  Fountain  Bard,  * 
Whence  each  poetic  stream  derives  its  course. 
Thine  the  dread  moral  scene,  thy  chief  delight 
Where  idle  Fancy  durst  not  mix  her  voice. 
When  Reason  spoke  august  ;  the  fervent  heart 
Or  plained,  or  stormed  ;  and  in  the  impassioned  man, 
Concealing  art  with  art,  the  poet  sunk. 
This  potent  school  of  manners,  but  when  left 
To  loose  neglect,  a  land-corrupting  plague, 
Was  not  unworthy  deemed  of  public  care. 
And  boundless  cost,  by  thee  ;  whose  every  son, 
E'en  last  mechanic,  the  true  taste  possessed 
Of  what  had  flavor  to  the  nourished  soul. 

"  The  sweet  enforcer  of  tlie  poet's  strain. 
Thine  was  the  meaning  music  of  the  heart. 
Not  the  vain  trill,  that,  void  of  passion,  runs 
In  giddy  mazes,  tickling  idle  ears  ; 
But  that  deep-searching  voice,  and  artful  hand, 

*  Homer. 


uMEJity.  iW 

To  which  respondent  shakes  the  varied  soul. 

"  Thy  fair  ideas,  thy  delightful  forms, 
By  Love  imagined,  by  the  Graces  touched, 
The  boast  of  well-pleaseil  Nature  !  Sculpture  seized 
And  bade  them  ever  smile  in  Parian  stone. 
Selecting  Beauty's  choice,  and  that  again 
Exalting,  blending  in  a  perfect  whole, 
'tliy  workmen  left  e'en  Nature's  self  behind. 
From  those  far  different,  whose  prolific  hand 
Peoples  a  nation  ;  they  foi-  years  on  years. 
By  the  cool  touches  of  judicious  toil. 
Their  rapid  genius  curbing,  poured  it  all 
Through  the  live  features  of  one  breathing  stone 
There,  beaming  full,  it  shone  ;  exj)ressing  goda : 
Jove's  awful  brow,  Apollo's  air  divine. 
The  fierce  atrocious  frown  of  sinewed  Mars, 
Or  the  sly  graces  of  the  ('yprian  Queen  ; 
Minutely  perfect  all  !  Each  dimple  sunk. 
And  every  muscle  swelled,  as  nature  taught. 
In  tresses,  braided  gay,  the  marble  waved  ; 
Flowed  in  loose  robes,  or  thin  transparent  veils  j 
Sprung  into  motion  ;  softened  into  flesh  ; 
Was  fired  to  passion,  or  refined  to  soul. 

"  Nor  less  thy  pencil,  with  creative  touch. 
Shed  mimic  life,  when  all  thy  brightest  dames, 
Assembled,  Zeuxis  in  his  Helen  mixed. 
And  when  Apelles,  who  peculiar  knew 
To  give  a  grace  that  more  than  mortal  smiled, 
The  soul  of  beauty  !  called  the  Queen  of  Love, 
Fresh  from  the  billows,  blushing  orient  charms. 
E'en  such  enchantment  then  thy  pencil  poured, 
riiat  cruel-thoughted  War  the  impatient  torch 
Dashed  to  the  ground  ;  and,  rather  than  destroy 
The  patriot  picture,  *  let  the  city  Mcape. 

"Fi-t,  elder  Sculpture  taught  her  sister  art 


*  When  Demetrius  besieged  Kiiodcs,  aiui  could  hard 
reduced  the  city,  by  sotting  fire  to  tliat  quarter  of  it  where 
stoo<l  the  house  of  llie  celoljruted  Protogeiies  ;  he  chose 
rather  to  raise  tlie  siege;,  tiiau  liazanl  tlic  biiruing  of  a  fumoiu 
picture  called  Jasylus,  the  riiasleryiece  of  that  paiuter. 


180  UBBHTY. 

Correct  design,  where  great  ideas  shone, 
And  in  the  secret  trace  oppression  spoke  ; 
Taught  her  the  graceful  attitude  ;  the  turn. 
And  beauteous  airs  of  head  ;  the  native  act. 
Or  bold,  or  easy  ;  and,  cast  free  behind, 
The  smiling  mantle's  well-adjusted  flow. 
Then  the  bright  Muse,  their  eldest  sister,  came, 
And  bade  her  follow  where  she  led  the  way  ; 
Bade  earth,  and  sea,  and  air,  in  colors  rise, 
And  copious  action  on  the  canvas  glow  ; 
Gave  her  gay  Fable  ;  spread  Invention's  store  ; 
Enlarged  her  view  ;  taught  Composition  high, 
And  just  Arrangement,  circling  round  one  point, 
That  starts  to  sight,  binds,  and  commands  the  whole  ; 
Caught  from  the  heavenly  Muse  a  nobler  aim. 
And  scorning  the  soft  trade  of  mere  delight, 
O'er  all  thy  temples,  porticoes  and  schools, 
Heroic  deeds  she  traced,  and  warm  displayed 
Each  moral  beauty  to  the  ravished  eye. 
There,  as  the  imagined  presence  of  the  god 
Aroused  the  mind,  or  vacant  hours  induced 
Calm  contemplation,  or  assembled  youth 
Burned  in  ambitious  circle  round  the  sage, 
The  living  lesson  stole  into  the  heart, 
With  more  prevailing  force  than  dwells  in  words. 
These  rouse  to  glory  ;  while,  to  rural  life, 
The  softer  canvas  oft  reposed  the  soul. 
There  gayly  broke  the  sun-illumined  cloud  ; 
The  lessening  prospect,  and  the  mountain  blue, 
Vanished  in  air  ;  the  precipice  frowned  dire  ; 
While,  down  the  rock,  the  rushing  torrent  dashed  ; 
The  sun  shone,  trembling,  o'er  the  distant  main  ; 
The  tempest  foamed,  immense  ;  the  driving  storm 
Saddened  the  skies,  and,  from  the  doubling  gloom 
On  the  scathed  oak  the  ragged  liglitning  fell  : 
In  closing  shades,  and  where  tiie  current  strays. 
With  Peace,  and  Love,  and  Innocence  around, 
Piped  the  lone  shepherd  to  his  feeding  flock  ; 
Round  happy  parents  smiled  their  younger  selves  j 
And  friends  conversed,  by  death  divided  long. 


LIBERTY.  181 

"To  public  virtue  thus  the  smiling  arts, 
Unblemished  handmaids,  served  ;  the  Graces  they 
Thus  revered,  to  dress  this  fairest  Venus. 
And  placed  beyond  the  reach  of  sordid  care. 
The  high  awarders  of  immortal  fame, 
Alone  for  glory  thy  great  masters  strove  ; 
Courted  by  kings,  and  by  contending  states 
Assumed  the  boasted  honor  of  their  birth. 

"  In  Architecture  too  thy  rank  supreme  ! 
That  art  where  most  magnificent  appears 
The  little  builder  man  ;  by  thee  refined, 
And  smiling  high,  to  full  perfection  brought. 
Such  thy  sure  rules,  that  Goths  of  every  age, 
Who  scorned  their  aid,  have  only  loaded  earth 
With  labored,  heavy  monuments  of  shame. 
Not  those  gay  domes  that  o'er  thy  splendid  shore 
Shot,  all  proportion,  up.     First  unadorned, 
And  nobly  plain,  the  manly  Doric  rose  ; 
The  Ionic  then,  with  decent  matron  grace, 
Her  airy  pillar  heaved  ;  luxuriant  last, 
Th^  rich  Corinthian  spread  her  wanton  wreath. 
The  whole  so  measured  true,  so  lessened  off 
By  fine  proportion,  that  the  marble  pile. 
Formed  to  repel  the  still  or  stormy  waste 
Of  rolling  ages,  light  as  fabrics  looked 
That  from  the  magic  wand  aerial  rise. 

"  These  were  the  wonders  that  illumined  Greece 
From  end  to  end"  — Here  interrupting  warm, 
"Whore  are  they  now  ?"  I  cried,  "say,  goddess,  where? 
And  what  the  land,  thy  darling  thus  of  old  ?" 

"  Sunk  !  "  she  resumed,  "  deep  in  the  kindred  gloom 
Of  Superstition,  and  of  Slavery,  sunk  ! 
No  glory  now  can  touch  their  hearts,  benumbed 
By  loose  dejected  sloth  and  servile  fear  ; 
Xo  science  pierce  the  darkness  of  their  minds  ; 
No  nobler  art  the  quick  anil)itiouR  soul 
Of  imitation  in  their  breast  awake. 
K'en  to  supply  the  needful  arts  (■>{  life, 
Mechanic  toil  denies  the  hoj)eIess  hand. 
Scarce  any  trace  remaining,  vestige  gray, 


lai  LIBERTY. 

Or  nodding  column,  on  the  desert  shore. 

To  point  where  Corinth,  or  where  Athens  stooA, 

A  faithless  land  of  violence,  and  death  ! 

Where  commerce  parleys,  dubious,  on  the  shore  \ 

And  his  wild  impulse  curious  search  restrains, 

Afraid  to  trust  the  inhospitable  clime. 

Neglected  nature  fails  ;  in  sordid  want 

Sunk,  and  debased,  their  beauty  beams  no  more. 

The  sun  himself  seems,  angry,  to  regard, 

Of  light  unworthy,  the  degenerate  race  ; 

And  fires  them  oft  with  pestilential  rays  ; 

While  earth,  blue  poison  steaming  on  the  skies, 

Indignant,  shakes  them  from  her  troubled  sides. 

But  as  from  man  to  man,  Fate's  first  decree, 

Impartial  Death  the  tide  of  riches  rolls, 

So  states  must  die,  and  Liberty  go  round. 

"  Fierce  was  thi;  stand,  ere  Virtue,  Valor,  Arts, 
And  the  soul  fired  by  me  (that  often,  stung 
With  thoughts  of  better  times  and  old  renown, 
From  hydra-tyrants  tried  to  clear  the  land) 
Lay  quite  extinct  in  Greece,  their  works  effaced, 
And  gross  o'er  all  unfeeling  bondage  spread. 
Sooner  I  moved  my  much  reluctant  flight,       [Greece 
Poised  on   the   doubtful  wing  ;  when    Greece   with 
Embroiled  in  foul  contention  K)iiglit  no  more 
For  common  glory,  and  for  common  weal, 
But,  false  to  Freedom,  sought  to  quell  the  free  ; 
Broke  the  firm  band  of  Peace,  and  sacred  Love, 
That  lent  the  whole  irrefragable  force  ; 
And,  as  around  the  partial  trophy  blushed, 
Prepared  the  way  for  total  overthrow. 
Then  to  the  Persian  power,  whose  pride  they  scorned, 
When  Xerxes  poured  his  millions  o'er  the  land, 
Sparta,  by  turns,  and  Athens,  vilely  sued  ; 
Sued  to  b«  venal  parricides,  to  spill 
Their  country's  bravest  blood,  and  on  themselves 
To  turn  their  matchless  mercenary  arms. 
Peaceful  in  Susa,  then,  set  the  Great  King  ;  * 


Bo  the  kings  of  Persia  ^ere  called  by  tlie  Greeks- 


LIBERTY.  iel' 

And  by  the  trick  of  treaties,  the  still  waste 

Of  sly  corruption,  and  barbaric  gold. 

Effected  what  his  steel  could  ne  'er  perform. 

Profuse  he  gave  them  the  luxurious  draught, 

Inflaming  all  the  land  ;  unbalanced  wide 

Their  tottering  states  ;  their  wild  assemblies  ruleOj 

As  the  winds  turn  at  every  blast  the  seas  ; 

And  by  their  listed  orators,  whose  breath 

Still  with  a  factious  storm  infested  Greece, 

Roused  them  to  civil  war,  or  dashed  them  down 

To  sordid  peace  —  Peace  !  *  that,  when  Sparta  shook 

Astonished  Artaxerxes  on  his  throne. 

Gave  up,  fair-spread  o'er  Asia's  sunny  shore. 

'J'lieir  kindred  cities  to  perpetual  chanis. 

What  could  so  base,  so  infamous  a  thought 

In  Spartan  hearts  inspire?  Jealous,  they  saw 

Respiring  Athens,  f  rear  again  her  walls  ; 

And  the  pale  fury  fired  them,  once  again 

fo  crush  their  rival  city  to  the  dust. 

For  now  no  more  the  noble  social  soul 

Of  Liberty  my  families  combined  ; 

But  by  short  views,  and  telfish  passions,  broke. 

Dire  as  when  friends  are  rankled  into  foes, 

They  mixed  severe,  and  waged  eternal  war  ; 

Nor  felt  they,  furious,  their  exhausted  force  ; 

Nor,  with  false  glory,  discord,  madness  blind. 

Saw  liow  tlie  blackening  storm  from  Thracia  came. 

Long  years  rolled  on,  \  by  many  a  battle  stained. 

The  blush  and  boast  of  Fame  !  where  courage,  art. 

And  military  glory  shone  supreme  : 

But  let  detesting  ages,  from  the  scene 

Of  Greece  self-mangled,  turn  the  sickening  eye. 

*  The  peace  made  by  Aiitalcidas,  the  Jjacedemonian  admiral 
with  the  Persians  ;  by  wliich  tin;  Ltioedcmoniaiis  al)andoned 
all  Hie  (Jreek.s  established  in  the  lesser  Asia,  to  the  dominion  ot 
the  King  of  Persia. 

t  AtliciiH  had  been  dismantled  ])y  the  Lacedemonians,  at  the 
end  of  the  first    i'elopoiiiiesian    war,   and    was  at  this  time  r© 
Btored  by  ("oiion  to  its  former  splendor. 

\  The  Peloponueaiau   war. 


tU  LIBERTY. 

At  last,  when  bleeding  from  the  thousand  woimds. 

She  felt  her  spirits  fail  ;  and  in  the  dust 

Her  latest  heroes,  Nicias,  Conon,  lay, 

Agesilaus,  and  the  Theban  friends  ;  * 

The  Macedonian  vulture  marked  his  time, 

By  the  dire  scent  of  Cheronaea  f  lured, 

A.nd,  fierce  descending,  seized  his  hapless  prey. 

"  i'hus  tame  submitted  to  the  victor's  yoke 
Greece,  once  the  gay,  the  turbulent,  the  bold  ; 
For  every  grace,  and  muse,  and  science  bom; 
With  arts  of  War,  of  Government,  elate  ; 
To  tyrants  dreadful,  di'eadful  to  the  best; 
Whom  I  myself  could  scarcely  rule  :  and  thus 
The  Persian  fetters,  that  inthralled  the  mind, 
Were  turned  to  formal  and  apparent  chains. 

"  Unless  Corruption  first  deject  the  pride, 
And  guardian  vigor  of  the  free-born  soul. 
All  crude  attempts  of  violence  are  vain  ; 
For  firm  within,  and  while  at  heart  untouched, 
Ne'er  yet  by  Force  was  Freedom  overcome. 
But  soon  as  Independence  stoops  the  head. 
To  Vice  enslaved,  and  vice-created  wants  ; 
Then  to  some  foul  corrupting  hand,  whose  waste 
These  heightened  wants  with  fatal  bounty  feeds, 
From  man  to  man  the  slackening  ruin  runs. 
Till  the  whole  state  unnerved  in  slavery  sinks.** 

PART  III. 

ROME. 

Contents. — As  this  part  contains  a  description  of  the  estalb- 
lishment  of  Liberty  in  Rome,  it  begins  with  a  view  of  the 
Grecian  Colonies  settled  in  the  southern  parts  of  Italy,  which 
with  Sicily  constituted  the  Great  Greece  of  the  Ancients — 
With  these  colonies,  the  »:?pirit  of  Liberty,  and  of  Republics, 
spreads  over  Italy—  Transition  to  Pythagoras  and  his 
philosophy,  which  he  taught  through  those  free  states  and 
citiee — Amidst  the  many  smull  Republics  in  Italy,  Rome 


•Pelopidas  and  Epaminondas. 

f  The  battle  of  Cheronsea  in  which  Philip  of  Macedon  utterly 
defeated  the  Greeks. 


LIBERTY.  18f 

the  destined  seat  of  Lil:)erty  —  Her  establishment  there  dated 
from  the  expulsion  of  the  Tarquins — How  uiffcting  fiom 
that  in  Greece — Reference  to  a   view   of   the    Roman  Ile- 

Sublic  given  in  the  First  Part  of  this  Poem  :  to  mark  its 
iise  and  Fall  the  peculiar  i)urport  of  W\\? —  During  its  first 
ages,  the  greatest  force  of  Liberty  and  Virtue  exerted  —  The 
source  whence  derived  the  Heroic  Virtues  of  the  Remans — 
Enumeration  of  these  Virtues  —  Thence  their  security  at 
home;  their  glory,  success,  and  t'mj)irc  abroad  —  Bounds 
of  the  Roman  empire  geographically  described  —  The  states 
of  Greece  restored  to  Liberty  by  Titus  Quinlus  Flaminius, 
the  highest  instance  of  public  generosity  atid  beneficence  — 
The  loss  of  Liberty  in  Rome  —  Its  cause,  progress  and  com- 
pletion in  the  death  of  Brutus  —  Rome  under  the  emperors 

—  From  Rome  the  Goddess  of  Liberty  goes  among  the 
Northern  Nations  :  where,  by  infusing  into  them  her 
Spirit  and  general  principles,  she  lays  the  groundwork  of 
her  future  establishments  ;  sends  them  in  vengeance  on  the 
Roman  empire,  now  totally  enslaved  ;  an  l  then,  with  Arts 
and  Sciences  in  her  train,  quits  earth  during  the  dark  ages 

—  The  celestial  regions,  to  which  Liberty  retired,  not  proper 
to  be  opened  to  the  view  of  mortals. 

Here  melting  mixed  with  air  the  ideal  forms 

That  painted  still  whate'er  the  goddess  sung. 

Then  I,  impatient. —  "  From  extinguished  Greece, 

To  what  new  region  streamed  tlie  Human  Day?" 

She  softly  sighing,  as  when  Zephyr  leaves, 

Resigned  to  Boreas,  the  declining  year, 

Resumed. —  "  Indignant,  these  last  scenes  I  fled  ;  * 

And  ^ong  ere  then,  Leucadia's  cloudy  cliff, 

And  the  Cerauuian  hills  hehind  me  thrown. 

All  Latium  sto(id  aroused.     Ages  before, 

Great  niother  of  repiiV)lics  !  (Treece  had  poured, 

Swarm  alter  swarm,  her  ardent  youth  around. 

On  Asia,  Afric,  Sicily,  they  stooped, 

But  chief  on  fair  Hesperia's  winding  shore  ; 

Where,  from  Lacinum  f  to  P^trurian  vales, 

They  rolled  increasing  (!olonies  along. 

And  lent  materials  for  my  Roman  reign. 

With  them  my  spirit  spread  ;  and  numerous  states, 


♦  The  last  struggles  of  Liberty  in  Greece. 
f  A  promontory  in  Calabrio. 


1«  LIBERTY. 

And  cities  rose,  on  Grecian  models  formed  ; 
As  its  parental  policy  and  arts 
Each  had  imbibed.     Beside,  to  each  assigned, 
A  guardian  Genius  o'er  the  public  weal, 
Kept  an  unclosing  eye  ;  tried  to  sustain. 
Or  more  sublime,  the  soul  infused  by  me: 
And  strong  the  battle  rose,  with  various  wave, 
Against  the  tyrant  demons  of  the  land. 
Thus  they  their  little  wars  and  triumphs  knew  ; 
Their  flows  of  fortune,  and  receding  times, 
But  almost  all  below  the  proud  regard 
Of  story  vowed  to  Rome,  on  deeds  intent 
That  Truth  beyond  the  flight  of  F'able  bore. 

*'  Not  so  the  Saraian  sage  ;  *  to  him  belongs 
The  brightest  witness  of  recording  Fame. 
For  these  free  states  his  native  isle  f  forsook, 
And  a  vain  tyraint's  transitory  smile, 
He  sought  Crotona's  pure  salubrious  air  ; 
And  through  Great  Greece  \  his  gentle  vision  taught  \ 
Wisdom  that  calmed  for  listening  years  §  the  mind, 
Nor  ever  heard  amid  the  storm  of  zeal. 
His  mental  eye  first  launched  into  the  deeps 
Of  boundless  ether  ;  where  unnumbered  orbs, 
Myriads  on  myriads,  through  the  pathless  sky 
Unerring  roll,  and  wind  their  steady  "way. 
There  he  the  full  consenting  choir  beheld  ; 
There  first  discerned  the  secret  band  of  love, 
The  kind  attraction,  that  to  central  suns 
Binds  circling  earths,  and  world  Avith  "world  unites. 
Instructed  thence,  he  great  ideas  formed 
Of  the  whole-moving,  all-informing  God, 
The  Sun  of  beings  !  beaming  unconfined 
Light,  life,  and  love,  and  ever  active  power  ; 
Whom  naught  can  image,  and  who  best  approves 
The  silent  worship  of  the  moral  heart, 

*  Pythagoras. 

I  Samoa,  over  which  then  reigned  the  Ij'rant  Polycrate«. 
;  The  southern  juirts  of  Italy  nnd  Sicily,  so  called  because  of 
the  Grecian  colonies  there  settled. 
^  His  Bcholars  were  enjoined  silence  for  five  years. 


LIBERTY,  1«» 

That  joys  in  bounteous  Heaven,  and  spreads  the  joy. 

Nor  scorned  the  soaring  sage  to  stoop  to  life, 

And  bound  his  reason  to  the  sphere  of  man. 

He  gave  the  four  yet  reiL^ning  virtues*  name  ; 

Inspired  the  study  of  the  finer  arts, 

That  civilize  mankind,  and  laws  devised 

Where  with  enlightened  justice  mercy  mixed. 

He  e'en,  into  his  tender  system,  took 

Whatever  shares  the  brotherhood  of  life  : 

He  taught  that  life's  indissoluble  flame, 

From  brute  to  man,  and  man  to  brute  again, 

Forever  shifting,  runs  the  eternal  round  ;  — 

Thence  tried  against  the  blood-polluted  meal, 

And  limbs  yet  quivering  with  some  kindred  soul. 

To  turn  the  human  heart.     Delightful  truth  ! 

Had  he  beheld  the  living  chain  ascend, 

And  not  a  circling  form,  but  rising  whole. 

"  Amid  these  small  republics  one  arose 
On  yellow  Tiber's  brink,  almighty  Rome, 
Fated  for  me.     A  nobler  spirit  warmed 
Her  sons  ;  and,  roused  by  tyrants,  nobler  still 
It  burned  in  Brutus  ;  the  proud  Tarquins  chased. 
With  all  their  crimes  ;  l)ade  radiant  eras  rise, 
And  the  long  honors  of  the  Consul-line. 

"  Here  from  the  fairer,  not  the  greater,  plan 
Of  Greece  I  varied  ;  whose  unmixing  states, 
By  the  keen  soul  of  emulation  pierced. 
Long  waged  alone  the  bloodless  war  of  arts, 
And  their  best  empire  gained.     But  to  diffuse 
O'er  men  an  empire  was  my  purpose  now  ; 
To  let  my  martial  majesty  abroad  ; 
Into  the  vortex  of  one  state  to  draw 
The  whole  mixed  force,  and  liberty,  on  earth  ; 
To  conquer  tyrants,  and  set  nations  free. 

"Already  have  I  given,  with  flying  touch, 
A  broken  view  of  this  my  amplest  reign. 
Now,  while  Its  first,  last,  ])eri(>dH  you  survey, 
Mark  how  it  laboring  rose,  and  rapid  fell. 


*  The  four  cardiual  virtues. 


toe  LIBERTY. 

"When   Rome  in  noon-tide  empire  grasped  the 
world, 
And,  soon  as  her  resistless  legions  shone. 
The  nations  stooped  around  ;  though  then  appeared 
Her  grandeur  most ;  yet  in  her  dawn  of  power, 
By  many  a  jealous  equal  people  pressed. 
Then  was  the  toil,  the  mighty  struggle  then  ; 
Then  for  each  Roman  1  a  hero  told  ; 
And  every  passing  sun,  and  Latian  scene, 
Saw  patriot  virtues  then,  and  awful  deeds, 
That  or  surpass  the  faith  of  modern  times, 
Or,  if  believed,  w^ith  sacred  horror  strike. 

"  For  then,  to  prove  my  most  exalted  power, 
I  to  the  point  of  full  perfection  pushed, 
To  fondness  and  enthusiastic  zeal, 
The  great,  the  reigning  passion  !  of  the  free. 
That  godlike  passion  !  which,  the  bounds  of  self 
Divinely  bursting,  the  whole  public  takes 
Into  the  heart,  enlarged,  and  burning  high 
With  the  mixed  ardor  of  unnumbered  selves  ; 
Of  all  who  safe  beneath  the  voted  laws 
Of  the  same  parent  state,  fraternal,  live. 
From  this  kind  sun  of  moral  nature  flowed 
Virtues,  that  shine  the  light  of  humankind, 
And,  rayed  through  story,  warm  remotest  time. 
These  virtues  too,  reflected  to  their  source. 
Increased  its  flame.     The  social  charm  went  round. 
The  fair  idea,  more  attractive  still, 
As  more  by  virtue  marked  ;  till  Romans,  all 
One  band  of  friends',  unconquerable  grew.         [voice, 

"  Hence,  when    their   country   raised   her  plaintive 
The  voice  of  pleading  Nature  was  not  heard  ; 
And  in  their  hearts  the  fathers  throbbed  no  more  : 
Stern  to  themselves,  but  gentle  to  the  whole. 
Hence  sweetened  I*ain,  the  luxury  of  toil ; 
Patience,  tliat  baflled  fortune's  utmost  rage  ; 
High-minded  Hope,  which  at  the  lowest  ebb, 
When  Jirennus  conquered,  and  when  Cannae  bled. 
The  bravest  impulse  felt,  and  s(u>rned  despair. 
Hence  Moderation  a  new  conquest  gained  ; 


UBERTY,  IM 

As  on  the  vanquished,  like  descending  heaven, 

Their  dewy  mercy  dropped,  the  bounty  beamed. 

And  by  the  laboring  hand  were  crowns  bestowed. 

Fruitful  of  men,  hence  hard  laborious  life, 

Which  no  fatigue  can  quell,  no  season  pierce. 

Hence,  Independence,  with  his  little  pleased. 

Serene,  and  self-sufficient,  like  a  god  ; 

In  whom  Corruption  could  not  lodge  one  charm. 

While  he  his  honest  roots  to  gold  })referre(l  ; 

While  truly  rich,  and  by  his  Sabine  field, 

The  man  maintained,  the  Roman's  splendor  all 

Was  in  the  public  wealth  and  glory  placed  ; 

Or  ready,  a  rough  swain,  to  guide  the  plow  ; 

Or  else,  the  purple  o'er  his  shoulder  thrown. 

In  long  majestic  flow,  to  rule  the  state. 

With  Wisdom's  purest  eye  ;  or,  clad  in  steel. 

To  drive  the  steady  battle  on  the  foe. 

Hence  every  passion,  e'en  the  proudest,  stooped 

To  common  good  :  Camillus,  thy  revenge  ; 

Thy  glory,  Fabius.     All  submissive  hence, 

Consuls,  Dictators,  still  resigned  their  rule, 

The  very  monent  that  the  laws  ordained. 

Though  Conquest  o'er  them  clapped  her  eagle  wings. 

Her  laurels  wreathed,  and  yoked  her  snowy  steeds 

To  the  triumphal  car  ;  soon  as  expired 

The  latest  hour  of  sway,  taught  to  submit, 

(A  harder  lesson  that  than  to  command) 

Into  the  private  Roman  sunk  the  chief. 

If  Rome  was  served,  and  glorious,  careless  they 

By  whom.  Their  country's  fame  they  deemed  their  ow 

And  above  envy,  in  a  rival's  train, 

Sungtiie  loud  los  by  themselves  deserved. 

Hence  matchless  courage.     On  Oemera's  bank, 

Hence  fell  the  Fabii  ;  *  hence  the  Decii  died  ; 


•  Caio  Plavio  et  Lucio  Virginio  Coss,  Irfconti  nobiles 
hoiriincH,  quicx  Piil)i£i  faniiliTi  <;nint,  contra  \'(ient('S  bellum 
soli  susc<-p(;rut)'.  promittcules  senntui  it  pojiuio  |)er  .se  oraue 
.''crtairicn  implendum.  Itaque  jirofcfti  omncs  nohiles,  et  qui 
(iin^tili  magnonim  cxcrcitiiurii  duces  esse  deberent,  in  praelio 
concideruci  — Eotrop.     iib.     l 


IM  LIBEhTY. 

And  Curtius  plunged  into  the  flaming  gulf. 

Hence  Regains  the  wavering  fathers  firmed. 

By  dreadful  counsel  never  given  before  ; 

For  Roman  honor  sued,  and  his  own  doom. 

Hence  he  sustained  to  dare  a  death  prepared 

By  Punic  rage.     On  earth  his  manly  look 

Relentless  fixed,  he  from  a  last  embrace, 

liy  chains  polluted,  put  his  wife  aside, 

His  little  children  climbing  for  a  kiss  ;  [friends, 

Then  dumb   through    rows  of   weeping,    wondering 

A  new  illustrious  exile  !  pressed  along. 

Nor  less  impatient  did  he  pierce  the  crowds 

Opposing  his  return,  than  if,  escaped 

From  long  litigious  suits,  he  glad  forsook 

The  noisy  town  a  while,  and  city  cloud. 

To  breathe  Venaf  rian,  or  Tarentine  air. 

Need  I  these  high  particulars  recount  ? 

The  meanest  bosom  felt  a  thirst  for  fame  ; 

Flight  their  worst  death,  and  shame  their  only  fear. 

Life  had  no  charms,  nor  any  terrors  fate, 

When  Rome  and  glory  called.     But,  in  one  view, 

Mark  the  rare  boast  of  these  unequaled  times 

Ages  revolved  unsullied  by  a  crime  ; 

Astrea  reigned,  and  scarcely  needed  laws 

To  bind  a  race  elated  with  the  pride 

Of  virtue,  and  disdaining  to  descend 

To  meanness,  mutual  violence,  and  wrongs. 

While  war  around  them  raged,  in  happy  Rome 

All  peaceful  smiled,  all  save  the  passing  clouds 

That  often  hang  on  Freedom's  jealous  brow  ; 

And  fair  imblemished  centuries  elapsed, 

When  not  a  Roman  bled  but  in  the  field. 

Their  virtue  such,  that  an  unbalanced  state, 

Still  between  Noble  and  Plebeian  tost, 

As  flowed  the  wave  of  fluctuating  power. 

Was  then  kept  firm,  and  with  triumphant  prow 

Rode  out  the  storms.     Oft  though  the  native  feudi, 

That  from  the  first  tlieir  constitution  shook, 

(A  latent  ruin,  growing  as  it  grew,) 

Stood  on  the  threatening  point  of  civil  war 


UMEJtTY.  IM 

Ready  to  rush  :  yet  could  the  lenient  voice 

Of  wisdom,  soothing  the  tumultuous  soul, 

Those  sous  of  virtue  calm.     Their  generous  heartf 

Unpetrified  by  self,  so  naked  lay 

And  sensible  to  Truth,  that  o'er  the  rage 

Of  giddy  faction,  by  oppression  swelled, 

Prevailed  a  simple  fable,  *  and  at  once 

To  peace  recovered  the  divided  state. 

But  if  their  often  cheated  hopes  refused 

The  sootiiini^  touch  ;  still,  in  the  love  of  Rome, 

The  dread  Dictator  found  a  sure  resource. 

Was  she  assaulted  ?  was  her  glory  stained  ? 

One  common  quarrel  wide  inflamed  the  whole. 

Foes  in  tlie  forum  in  the  field  were  friends. 

By  social  danger  bound  ;  each  bound  for  each, 

And  for  their  dearest  country  all,  to  die. 

"  Thus  up  the  hill  of  empire  slow  they  toiled  ; 
Till,  the  bold  summit  gained,  the  thousand  states 
Of  proud  Italia  blended  into  one  ; 
Then  o'er  the  nations  they  resistless  rushed, 
And  touched  the  limits  of  the  failing  world. 

"  Let  Fancy's  eye  the  distant  lines  unite. 
See  that  which  borders  wild  the  western  main, 
Where  storms  at  large  resound,  and  tides  immense ; 
From  Caledonia's  dim  cerulean  coast. 
And  moist  IIil>ernia,  to  where  Atlas,  lodged 
Amid  the  restless  clouds  and  leaning  heaven. 
Hangs  o'er  the  deep  that  borrows  thence  its  name. 
Mark  that  opposed,  where  first  the  springing  mora 
Her  roses  slieds,  and  sliakes  around  her  dews  : 
From  the  dire  deserts  by  the  Caspian  laved, 
To  wiiere  the  Tigris  and  Euphrates,  joined. 
Impetuous  tear  the  Babylonian  plain  ; 
And  bhiss(;d  Arabia  aromatic  breathes. 
See  that  dividing  far  the  watery  north, 
Parent  of  floods  !   from  the  majestic  Rhine, 
Drunk  by  Batavian  meads,  to  where,  seven  mouthed, 


*  The   fable   of    The    Belly  and    the   iftmbent,    applied   by 
Jicnenius  Agrippa  to  the  Romau  Statu. 


IM  LIBERTY. 

In  Euxine  waves  the  flashing  Danube  roare ; 

To  where  the  frozen  Tanais  scarcely  stirs 

The  dead  Maeotic  pool  or  the  long  Kha,  * 

In  the  black  Scythian  sea  his  torrent  throws. 

Last,  that  beneath  the  burning  zone  behold  : 

See  where  it  runs,  from  the  deep-loaded  plains 

Of  Mauritania  to  the  Libyan  sands, 

Where  Ammon  lifts  amid  the  torrid  waste 

A  verdant  isle,  with  shade  and  fountain  fresh  ; 

And  further  to  the  full  Egyptian  shore, 

To  where  the  Nile  from  Ethiopian  clouds, 

His  never-drained  ethereal  urn,  descends. 

In  tliis  vast  space  what  various  tongues,  and  states  / 

Wliat  bounding   rocks,  and    mountains,   floods,   anci 

seas  ! 
What  purple  tyrants  quelled,  and  nations  freed  ! 

"  O'er  Greece,  descended  chief,  with  stealth  divine 
The  Roman  bounty  in  a  flood  of  day  ; 
As  at  her  Isthmian  games,  a  fading  pomp  ! 
Her  full  assembled  youth  innumerous  swarmed. 
On  a  tribunal  raised,  Flaminius  sat : 
A  victor  he,  from  the  deep  phalanx  pierced 
Of  iron-coated  Macedon,  and  back 
The  Grecian  tyrant  to  his  bounds  repelled. 
In  the  high  thoughtless  gayety  of  game. 
While  sport  alone  their  unambitious  hearts 
Possessed,  the  sudden  trumpet,  sounding  hoarse 
Bade  silence  o'ev  the  bright  assembly  reign  ; 
Tlian  thus  a  herald  :  — '  To  the  states  of  Greece 
The  Roman  people,  unconfined,  restore 
Their  countries,  cities,  liberties,  and  laws  ; 
Taxes  remit,  and  garrisons  withdraw. ' 
The  crowd  astonished  half,  and  half  informed, 
Stared     dubious    round ;     some      questioned,    some 

exclaimed, 
(Like  one  who  dreaming,  between  hope  and  fear. 
18  lost  in  anxious  joy,)  '  Be  tiiat  again. 
Be  that  again  proclaimed,  distinct,  and  loud.' 


The  Hucienl  name  of  the  Volga. 


UBEkTY.  m 

Loua,  and  distinct,  it  was  again  proclaimed  ; 

And  still  as  midnight  in  the  rural  shade, 

When  the  gale  slumbers,  they  the  words  devoured. 

A  while  severe  amazement  held  them  mute, 

Then  bursting  broad,  the  boundless  shout  to  Heaven 

From  many  a  thousand  hearts  ecstatic  sprung. 

On  every  hand  rebellowed  to  their  joy 

The  swelling  sea,  the  rocks,  and  vocal  hills  ; 

I'lirough  all  her  turrets  stately  Corinth  shook  ; 

And,  from  the  void  above  of  shattered  air, 

The  Hitting  bini  fell  breathless  to  the  ground. 

What  piercing  bliss,  how  keen  a  sense  of  fame, 

Did  then,  Flaminius,  reach  thy  inmost  soul  ! 

And  with  what  deep-felt  glory  didst  thou  then 

Escape  the  fondness  of  transported  Greece  ! 

Mixed  in  a  tempest  of  superior  joy. 

They  left  the  sports  ;  like  Bacchanals  they  flew, 

Each  other  straining  in  a  strict  embrace. 

Nor  strained  a  slave  ;  and  loud  acclaims  till  night 

Round  the  Proconsul's  tent  repeated  rung, 

Then,  crowned  with  garlands,  came  the  festive  hoinv] 

And  music,  sparkling  wine,  and  converse  warm, 

Their  raptures  waked  anew.     '  Ye  gods  ! '  they  cried, 

'Ye  guardian  gods  of  Greece  !  and  are  we  free? 

Was  it  not  madness  deemed  tlie  very  thought? 

And  is  it  true  ?  How  did  we  purchase  chains  ? 

At  what  a  dire  expense  of  kindred  blood  ? 

And  are  they  now  dissolved?  and  scarce  one  drop 

For  the  fair  firs*  of  blessings  have  we  paid  ? 

Courage,  and  conduct,  in  the  doubtful  field. 

When  rages  wide  the  storm  of  mingling  war, 

Are  rare  indeed  ;  but  how  to  generous  ends 

To  turn  success,  and  conquest,  rarer  still  : 

That  the  great  gods  and  Jlomans  only  know. 

liives  there  on  earth,  almost  to  Greece  unknown. 

A  people  so  magnanimous,  to  (put 

Their  native  soil,  traverse  the  stormy  deep, 

And  by  their  blood  and  treasure,  spent  for  us, 

Redeem  our  states,  our  liberties,  :uid  laws  ! 

There  does  !  there  does  !  Oh  savior,  Titus  i  Rome^i 


m  LIBERTY. 

Thus  through  the  happy  night  they  poured  their  souls, 

And  in  my  last  reflected  beams,  rejoiced. 

As  when  the  shepherd  on  the  mountain -brow, 

Sits  piping  to  his  flocks  and  gamesome  kids  ; 

Meantime  the  sun,  beneath  the  green  earth  sunk, 

Slgnts  upward  o'er  the  scene  a  parting  gleam  : 

Short  is  the  glory  that  the  mountain  gilds, 

Plays  on  the  glittering  flocks,  and  glads  the  swaio. 

To  western  worlds  irrevocable  rolled, 

Rapid,  the  source  of  light  recalls  his  ray." 

Here  interposing  I  —  "  Oh,  Queen  of  men  I 
Beneath  whose  scepter  in  essential  rights 
Equal  they  live  ;  though  placed  for  common  good. 
Various,  or  in  subjection,  or  command  ; 
And  that  by  common  choice  ;  alas  !  the  scene, 
With  virtue,  freedom,  and  with  glory  bright, 
Streams  into  blood,  aud  darkness  into  woe." 
Thus  she  pursued  :  —  "  Near  this  great  era,  Rome 
Began  to  feel  the  swift  approach  of  fate, 
That  now  her  vitals  gained  :  still  more  and  mor« 
Her  deep  divisions  kindling  into  rage, 
And  war  with  chains  and  desolation  charged. 
From  an  unequal  balance  of  her  sons 
These  fierce  contentions  sprung  :  and,  as  increa^*«« 
This  hated  inequality,  more  fierce 
They  flamed  to  tumult.     Independence  failed  ; 
Here  by  luxurious  wants,  by  real  there  ; 
And  with  this  virtue  every  virtue  sunk. 
As,  with  the  sliding  rock,  the  pile  sustained. 
A  last  attempt,  too  late,  the  Gracchi  made, 
To  fix  the  flying  scale,  and  poise  the  state. 
On  one  side  swelled  aristocratic  Pride  ; 
With  Usury,  the  villain  !  whose  fell  gripe 
Bends  by  degrees  to  baseness  tht  free  soul ; 
And  Luxury  ra})acious,  cruel,  mean. 
Mother  of  vice  !  While  on  the  other  crept 
A  populace  in  want,  with  pleasure  fired  ; 
Fit  for  proscriptions,  for  the  darkest  deeds, 
As  the  proud  feeder  bade  ;  inconstant,  blind, 
Deserting  friends  at  need,  and  duped  by  fofc<  j, 


UBRRTY.  IM 

Load  and  seditious,  when  a  chief  inspired 
Their  headlong  fury,  but,  of  him  deprived, 
Already  slaves  that  licked  the  scourging  hand, 

"  This  firm  republic,  that  against  the  blast 
Of  opposition  rose  ;  that  (like  an  oak. 
Nursed  on  ferocious  Algidum,  *  whose  boughs 
Still  stronger  shoot  beneath  the  rigid  ax) 
By  loss,  by  slaughter,  from  the  steel  itself, 
li'en  force  and  spirit  drew  ;  smit  with  the  calm. 
The  dead  serene  of  prosperous  fortune,  pined. 
Naught  now  her  weighty  legions  could  oppose  ; 
Her  f  terror  once,  on  Africa's  tawny  shore, 
Now  smoked  in  dust,  a  stabling  now  for  wolves  ; 
And  every  dreaded  power  received  the  yoke. 
Besides,  destructive,  from  the  conquered  East, 
In  the  soft  plunder  came  that  worst  of  plagues, 
That  pestilence  of  mind,  a  fevered  thirst 
For  the  false  joys  which  Luxury  prepares. 
Unworthy  joys  !  that  wasteful  leave  behind 
No  mark  of  honor,  in  reflecting  hour. 
No  secret  ray  to  glad  the  conscious  soul  ; 
At  once  involving  in  one  ruin  wealth. 
And  wealth-acquiring  powers  ;  while  stupid  self 
Of  narrow  gust,  and  habetating  sense. 
Devour  the  nobler  faculties  of  bliss. 
Hence  Roman  virtue  slackened  into  sloth  : 
Security  relaxed  the  softening  state  ; 
And  the  broad  eye  of  government  lay  closed. 
No  more  the  laws  inviolable  reigned, 
And  public  weal  no  more  :  but  party  raged  ; 
And  partial  power,  and  license  unrestrained. 
Let  Discord  through  the  deathful  city  loose. 
First,  mild  Tiberius,  \  on  thy  sacred  head 
The  fury's  vengeance  fell  ;  the  first,  whose  blood, 
Had,  since  the  consuls,  stained  contending  Rome. 
Oh  precedent  pernicious  !   with  thee  bled 
Three  hundred  Romans  ;   with  thy  brother,  next. 


♦  A  'own  of  Latium,  near  Tusculura. 

t  Carthage.  1  Tiberius  Gracchua. 


m  UBEMTY, 

Three  thousand  more  :  till,  into  battles  tamed 
Debates  of  peace,  and  forced  the  trembling  laws, 
The  forum  and  Comitia  horrid  grew, 
A  scene  of  bartered  power,  or  reeking  gore. 
When,  half-ashamed,  Corruption's  thievish  arts. 
And  ruffian  force  began  to  sap  the  mounds 
And  majesty  of  laws  ;  if  not  in  time 
Repressed  severe,  for  human  aid  too  strong 
'J'he  torrent  turns,  and  overbears  the  whole. 

"  Thus  Luxury,  Dissension,  a  mixed  rage 
Of  boundless  pleasure  and  of  boundless  wealth, 
Want- wishing  change,  and  waste-repairing  war, 
Rapine  forever  lost  to  «eaceful  toil, 
Guilt  unatoned,  profuse  of  blood  Revenge, 
Corruption  all  avowed,  aud  lawless  Force, 
Each  heightening  each,  alternate  shook  the  state. 
Meantime  Ambition,  at  th«  dazzling  head 
Of  hardy  legions,  with  the  Uurels  heaped 
And  spoil  of  nations,  in  ont*  circling  blast 
Combined  in  various  storm,  and  from  its  base 
The  broad  republic  tore.     By  Virtue  built 
It  touched  the  skies,  and  spread  o'er  sheltered  earth 
An  ample  roof  ;  by  Virtue  too  sustained. 
And  balanced  steady,  every  tempest  sung 
Innoxious  by,  or  bade  it  firmer  stand. 
But  when,  with  sudden  and  enormous  change, 
The  first  of  mankind  *  sunk  into  the  last. 
As  once  in  Virtue,  so  in  Vice  extreme, 
This  universal  fabric  yielded  loose. 
Before  Ambition  still  ;  and  thundering  down. 
At  last,  beneath  its  ruins  crushed  a  world. 
A  conquering  people,  to  themselves  a  prey. 
Must  ever  fall ;  when  their  victorious  troops, 
In  blood  and  rapine  savage  grown,  can  find 
No  land  to  sack  and  pillage  but  their  own. 

"  By  brutal  Marius,  and  keen  Sylla,  first 
Effused  the  deluge  dire  of  civil  blood, 
Unceasing  woes  began,  and  this,  or  that, 

♦  C«e8»r. 


UBRRTY.  £m 

Deep-drenching  their  revenge,  nor  virtue  sp&red. 

Nor  sex,  nor  age,  nor  quality,  nor  name  ; 

Till  Rome,  into  a  human  shambles  turned, 

Made  deserts  lovely. —  Oli,  to  well-earned  chains, 

Devoted  race  !  —  If  no  true  Roman  then, 

Yio  Scsevola  there  was,  to  raise  for  me 

Avengeful  hand  ;  was  there  no  fatlier,  robbed 

Of  blooming  youth  to  prop  his  withered  age  ? 

No  son  a  witness  to  his  hoary  sire 

In  dust  and  gore  defiled  ?  no  friend,  forlorn  ? 

No  wretch  that  doubtful  trembled  for  himself  ? 

None  brave,  or  wild,  to  pierce  a  monster's  heart, 

Who,  heaping  horror  round,  no  more  deserved 

The  sacred  shelter  of  the  laws  he  spurned  ? 

No  :  —  Sad  o'er  all  profound  dejection  sat  ; 

And  nerveless  fear.     The  slave's  asylum  theirs  ; 

Or  flight,  ill-judging,  that  the  timid  back 

Turns  weak  to  slaughter  ;  or  partaken  guilt. 

In  vain  from  Sylla's  vanity  I  drew 

An  unexampled  deed.     The  power  resigned, 

And  all  unhoped  the  commonwealth  restored, 

Amazed  the  public,  and  effaced  his  crimes. 

Through  streets  yet  streaming  from  his  murderoiu 

hand 
Unarmed  he  strayed,  unguarded,  un assailed, 
And  on  the  bed  of  peace  his  ashes  laid  ; 
A  grace,  which  I  to  his  demission  gave 
But  with  him  died  not  the  despotic  soul. 
Ambition  saw  that  stooping  Rome  could  bear 
A  master,  nor  had  virtue  to  be  free. 
Hence,  for  succeeding  years,  my  troubled  reign. 
No  certain  peace,  no  spreading  prospect  knew. 
Destruction  gathered  round.     Still  the  black  soul. 
Or  of  a  Cataliiie,  or  RuUus,*  swelled 
With  fell  designs  ;  and  all  the  watchful  art 
Of  Cicero  demanded,  all  the  ioww, 

*  PiibliuH  Sorviliiis  Riillus,    tribuno   of  the   people,  proposed 
an  uu;rariaii  law,  in  apix-arancc,  very  ailvantageousfor  the  peo- 

Ele,  hut  (iestructive  of  their  liberty  ;    iuid  wliich  was  defeated 
y  the  (,'loquence  of  Cicero,  in  his  speech  figaiust  RuUut. 


tit  LIBERTY. 

All  the  Btate-wielding  magic  of  his  tongae  ; 

And  all  the  thunder  of  my  Cato's  zeal. 

With  these  I  lingered  ;  till  the  flame  anew 

Burst  out,  in  blaze  immense,  and  wrapped  the  world 

The  shameful  contest  sprung  —  to  whom  mankind 

Should  yield  the  neck  :  to  Pompey,  who  concealed 

A  rage  impatient  of  an  equal  name  ; 

Or  to  the  nobler  Caesar,  on  whose  brow 

O'er  daring  vice  deluding  virtue  smiled, 

And  who  no  less  a  vain  superior  scorned. 

Both  bled,  but  bled  in  vain.     New  traitors  rose. 

The  venal  will  be  bought,  the  base  have  lords. 

To  these  vile  wars  I  left  ambitious  slaves  ; 

And  from  Philippi's  field,  from  where  in  dust 

The  last  of  Romans,  matchless  Brutus  !  lay, 

Spread  to  the  north  untamed  a  rapid  wing. 

"What  through  the  first  smooth  Caesars  arts  caresse^ 
Merit,  and  virtue,  simulating  me  ? 
Severely  tender  !  cruelly  humane  ! 
The  chain  to  clinch,  and  make  it  softer  sit 
On  the  new-broken  still  ferocious  state. 
From  the  dark  Third, f  succeeding,  I  beheld 
The  imperial  monsters  all. —  A  race  on  earth 
Vindictive,  sent  the  scourge  of  humankind  ! 
Whose  blind  profusion  drained  a  bankrupt  world  ; 
Whose  lust  to  forming  nature  seems  disgrace  ; 
And  whose  infernal  rage  bade  every  drop 
Of  ancient  blood,  that  yet  retained  my  flame, 
To  that  of  Paetus,*  in  the  peaceful  bath, 
Or  Rome's  affrighted  streets,  inglorious  flow. 
But  almost  just  the  meanly  patient  death, 
That  waits  a  tyrant's  unprevented  stroke, 
Titus  indeed  gave  one  short  evening  gleam  ; 
More  cordial  felt,  as  in  the  midst  it  spread 

*  Tiberius. 

■f-Thrasea  Paetus,  put  to  death  by  Nero.  Tacitus  introducei 
the  account  be  gives  of  his  (icath,  thus: — "After  liaving  in- 
humanely slaughtered  so  many  illustrious  men,  he  (Nero) 
burned  at  last  with  a  desire  of  cutting  oflf  virtue  itself  in  th« 
person  of  Thrasea,"  «3fcc. 


LIBERTY.  199 

Of  Btorm,  and  horror.     The  delight  of  men  I 
He  who  the  day,  when  his  o'erflowing  hand 
Had  made  no  happy  heart,  concluded  lost ; 
Trajan  and  he,  with  the  mild  sire*  and  son, 
His  son  of  virtue  !  eased  awhile  mankind  ; 
And  arts  revived  heneath  their  gentle  beam. 
Then  was  their  last  effort  :  what  sculpture  raised 
To  Trajan's  glory,  following  triumphs  stole  ; 
And  mixed  with  Gothic  forms,  (the  chisel's  shame) 
On  that  triumphal  arch,f  the  foi*ms  of  Greece. 

"  Meantime  o'er  rocky  Thrace,  and  the  deep  vales 
Of  gelid  Haemus,  I  pursued  my  flight  ; 
And,  piercing  furthest  Scythia,  westward  swept 
Sarmatia,  \  traversed  by  a  thousand  streams. 
A  sullen  land  of  lakes  and  fens  immense, 
Of  rocks,  resounding  torrents,  gloomy  heaths, 
And  cruel  deserts  black  with  sounding  pine  ; 
Where  nature  frowns  ;  though  sometimes  into  smiles 
She  softens  ;  aud  immediate,  at  the  touch 
Of  southern  gales,  throws  from  the  sudden  glebe 
Luxuriant  pasture,  and  a  waste  of  flowers. 
But,  cold-compressed,  when  the  whole  loaded  heaven 
Descends  in  snow,  lost  in  one  white  abrupt. 
Lies  undistinguished  earth  ;  and,  seized  by  frost, 
Lakes,  headlong  streams,  and  floods,  and  oceans  sleep. 
Yet  there  life  glows  ;  the  furry  millions  there 
Deep  dig  their  dens  beneath  the  sheltering  snows, 
And  there  a  race  of  men  prolific  swarms, 
To  various  pain,  to  little  pleasure  used  ; 
On  whom,  keen-parcliing,  beat  Ripluean  winds  ;  § 
Hard  like  their  soil,  and  like  their  climate  fierce. 
The  nursery  of  nations  !  —  These  I  roused, 

*  Antonius  Phis,  and  bis  adopted  son  Marcus  Aurelius,  af. 
tcrwards  called  Antonius  Pliilosoplius. 

t  Constantine's  arch,  to  build  which  that  of  Trajan  was  de- 
itroyed,  sculpture  havinjr  Ix'cn  then  almost  entirely  lost. 

^  The  ancient  Sarmatia  (•oiituincd  a  vast  tract  of  country 
running  all  along  the  north  of  Europe  ami  Asia. 

§  So  called,  as  coming  from  the  northern  extremity  of  Bar 
M»tia,  inhabited  by  the  Riph^ei. 


$00  UBEKTY, 

Drove  land  on  land,  on  people  people  poured  j 
Till  from  almost  perpetual  night  they  broke, 
As  if  in  search  of  day  ;  and  o'er  the  banks 
Of  yielding  empire,  only  slave-sustained. 
Resistless  raged  ;  in  vengeance  urged  by  me. 

'*  Long  in  the  barbarous  heart  the  buried  seedt 
Of  Freedom  lay,  for  many  a  wintry  age  ; 
And  though  ray  spirit  worked,  by  slow  degrees, 
Naught  but  its  pride  and  fierceness  yet  appeared. 
Then  was  the  night  of  time,  that  parted  worlds. 
I  quitted  earth  the  while.     As  when  the  tribes 
Aerial,  warned  of  rising  winter,  ride 
Autumnal  winds,  to  warmer  climates  borne  ; 
So,  arts  and  each  good  genius  in  my  train, 
I  cut  the  closing  gloom,  and  soared  to  heaven. 

"  In  the  bright  regions  there  of  purest  day. 
Far  other  scenes,  and  palaces,  arise. 
Adorned  profuse  with  other  arts  divine. 
All  beauty  here  below,  to  them  compared. 
Would,  like  a  rose  befo;*'  the  mid-day  sun, 
Shrink  up  its  blossom  ;  like  a  bubble  break 
The  passing  poor  magnificence  of  kings. 
For  there  the  King  ot  Nature,  in  full  blaze. 
Calls  every  splendor  forth  :  and  there  his  court, 
Amid  ethereal  powers,  and  virtues,  holds  : 
Angel,  archangel,  tutelary  gods, 
Of  cities,  nations,  empires,  and  of  worlds. 
But  sacred  be  the  veil  that  kindly  clouds 
A  light  too  keen  for  mortals  ;  wraps  a  view 
Too  softening  fair,  for  those  that  here  in  dust 
Must  cheerful  toil  out  their  appointed  years. 
A  sense  of  higher  life  would  only  damp 
The  schoolboy's  task,  and  spoil  his  playful  hour*. 
Nor  could  the  child  of  Reason,  feeble  man, 
With  vigor  through  this  infant-being  drudge, 
Did  brighter  worlds,  their  unimagined  bliss 
Disclosing,  dazzle  and  dissolve  his  mind." 


UBRRTY.  IM 

PABTIT. 

BRITAIN. 

CoNTiurT& — Difference  betwixt  the  Ancients  and  Moden<i 
sligblly  touched  upou — Description  of  the  dark  ages — The 
Goddess  of  Liberty,  who  during  these  is  supposed  to  have  left 
earth,  return,  attended  with  Arts  and  Science — She  first  de- 
scends on  Italy — Sculpture,  Painting  and  Arcliitecture  fix  at 
Rome,  to  revive  their  several  arts,  by  the  great  models  of 
antiquity  there,  which  in:iny  barbarous'invasionshad  not  been 
able  to  destroy — The  revival  of  these  arts  marked  out — That 
sometimes  arts  may  flourish  for  awhile  under  despotic  govern- 
ments,  tliough  never  the  natural  and  genuine  production  of 
them — Learning  begins  to  dawn— The  Muse  and  Science  attend 
Liberty,  who  in  her  progress  towards  Great  Britain  raises 
several  free  states  and  cities — These  enumerated — Author's 
exclamation  of  joy, upon  seeing  tlie  British  seas  and  coasts  rise 
in  the  vision,  which  painted  whatever  the  Goddess  of  Liberty 
said — Siie  resumes  her  narration — The  Genius  of  the  Deep 
appears,  and  addressuig  Liberty,  associates  Great  Britain  into 
liis  dominion — Liberty  received  and  congratulated  by 
Britannia,  and  the  Native  Genii  or  Virtues  of  the  island — 
These  described — Animated  by  the  presence  of  Liberty,  they 
ftei^in  their  operations  — Their  beneficent  influence  contrastea 
with  the  works  and  delusions  of  opposing  Demons — Concludes 
with  an  abstract  of  the  English  history,  making  the  several 
advances  of  Liberty  down  to  her  complete  establishment  at 
the  Revolution. 

Struck  with  the  rising  scene,  thus  I,  amazed  : 

"Ah,  Goddess,  what  a  change  !    is  eartli  the  same? 

Of  the  same  kind  the  ruthless  race  slie  feeds? 

And  does  the  same  fair  sun  and  etlier  spread 

Round  this  vile  spot  their  all-enlivening  soul? 

Lo  !  beauty  fails  ;  lost  in  unlovely  forms 

Of  little  pomp,  magnificence  no  more 

h)xalt8  the  mind,  and  l)ids  the  public  smile  ; 

While  to  raj)acious  interest  Glory  leaves 

Mankind,  and  every  grace  of  life  is  gone." 
To  this  the  Pnwer,  whose  vital  radiance  calls 

From  the  brute  mass  of  man  an  ordered  world  : 

"  Wait  till  the  morning  shines,  and  from  the  deptk 

Of  Gothic  darkness  sjtringsanr.thcr  day. 
IVue,  (TcniuR  droops  ;  the  tender  ancient  taste 

Of  Beauty,  then  fresh  blooming  in  her  prime, 


M8  LIBERTY. 

But  faintly  trembles  through  the  callous  soul ; 
And  Grandeur,  or  of  morals,  or  of  life, 
Sinks  into  safe  pursuits,  and  creeping  cares. 
E'en  cautious  Virtue  seems  to  stop  her  flight, 
And  aged  life  to  deem  the  generous  deeds 
Of  youth  romantic.     Yet  in  cooler  thought 
Well  reasoned,  in  researches  piercing  deep 
Through  nature's  works,  in  profitable  arts, 
And  all  that  calm  Experience  can  disclose, 
(Slow  guide,  but  sure),  behold  the  world  anew 
Exalted  rise,  with  other  honors  crowned  ; 
And,  where  my  Spirit  wakes  the  finer  powers, 
Athenian  laurels  still  afresh  shall  bloom. 

"  Oblivious  ages  passed  ;  while  earth  forsook 
By  her  best  Genii,  lay  to  Demons  foul. 
And  unchained  Furies,  an  abandoned  prey. 
Contention  led  the  van  ;  first  small  of  size. 
But  soon  dilating  to  the  skies  she  towers  ; 
Then,  wide  as  air,  the  livid  Fury  spread, 
And  high  her  head  above  the  stormy  clouds, 
She  blazed  in  omens,  swelled  the  groaning  winds 
With  wild  surmises,  battlings,  sounds  of  war  ; 
From  land  to  land  the  maddening  trumpet  blew  ; 
And  poured  her  venom  through  the  heart  of  man. 
Shook  to  the  pole,  the  North  obeyed  her  call. 
Forth  rushed  the  bloody  power  of  Gothic  war. 
War  against  human  kind  :  Rapine,  that  led 
Millions  of  raging  robbers  in  his  train  ; 
Unlistening,  barbarous  Force,  to  whom  the  sword 
Is  reason,  honor,  law  ;  the  foe  of  arts 
By  monsters  followed,  hideous  to  behold, 
That  claimed  their   place.     Outrageous   mixed   witk 

these 
Another  species  of  tyrannic  *  rule. 
Unknown  before,  whose  cankerous  shackles  seized 
The  envenomed  soul  ;  a  wilder  Fury,  she 
Even  o'er  her  Elder  Sistei-  f  tyrannized  ; 
Or,  if  perchance  agreed,  inflamed  her  rage. 


■  Church  power,  or  pccl«sifistical  tyranny,     f  Civil  tyraonj. 


LIBERTY.  908 

IMre  was  her  train,  and  loud  ;  the  stable  band, 
Thundering  :  — "  Submit,  ye  Laity  !  ye  profane  ! 
Earth  is  the  Lord's,  and  therefore  ours  ;  let  kings 
Allow  the  common  claim,  and  half  be  theirs  ; 
If  not,  behold  !  the   sacred  lightning  flies  !  " 
Scholastic  Discord,  with  a  hundred  tongues, 
For  science  uttering  jangling  words  obscure, 
Where  frighted  reason  never  yet  could  dwell ; 
Of  peremptory  feature,  cleric  Pride, 
Whose  reddening  cheek  no  contradiction  bears  i 
And  only  Slander,  his  associate  firm. 
On  whom  the  lying  Spirit  still  descends  ; 
Mother  of  tortures  !  persecuting  Zeal, 
High  flashing  in  her  hand  the  ready  torch, 
Or  poniard  bathed  in  unbelieving  blood  ; 
Hell's  fiercest  fiend  !  of  saintly  brow  demure, 
Assuming  a  celestial  seraph's  name, 
While  she  beneath  the  blasphemous  pretense 
Of  pleasing  Parent  Heaven,  the  Source  of  Love  ." 
Has  wrought  more  horrors,  more  detested  deeds 
Than  all  the  rest  combined.     Led  on  by  her. 
And  wild  of  head  to  work  her  fell  designs. 
Came  idiot  Superstition  ;  round  with  ears 
Innuraerous  strowed,  ten  thousand  monkish  form' 
With  legends  plied  them,  and  with  tenets,  moanf 
To  charm  or  scare  the  simple  into  slaves, 
And  poison  reason  ;  gross,  she  swallows  all. 
The  most  absurd  believing  ever  most. 
Broad  o'er  the  whole  her  universal  night, 
The  gloom  still  douV)ling,  Ignorance  diffused. 

"Naught  to  be  seen  but  visionary  monks, 
I'o  councils  strolling,  and  embroiling  creeds  ; 
Banditti  Saints,  disturbing  distant  lands  ; 
And  unknown  nations,  wandering  for  a  home 
All  lay  reversed  ;  the  sacred  arts  of  rule 
I'urned  to  flagitious  leagues  against  niankind 
And  arts  of  plunder  more  and  more  av(jwed  ; 
Pure  plain  Devotion  to  a  solemn  funjc  ; 
To  holy  dotage  Virtue,  even  to  guile. 
To  murder,  and  a  mockery  of  oaths  \ 


M4  LIBERTY. 

Brave  ancient  Freedom  to  the  rage  of  slaves,* 
Proud  of  their  state,  and  fighting  for  their  chains  ; 
Dishonored  Courage  to  the  bravo's  trade,  f 
To  civil  broil ;  and  Glory  to  romance. 
Thus  human  life,  unhinged,  to  ruin  reeled, 
And  giddy  Reason  tottered  on  her  throne. 

"  At  last  Heaven's  best  inexplicable  scheme, 
Disclosing,  bade  new  brightening  eras  smile. 
The  high  command  gone  forth,  Arts  in  my  train, 
And  azure-mantled  ScieiK^e,  suift  we  spread 
A  sounding  pinion.     Eager  pity,  mixed 
With  indignation,  urged  her  downward  flight. 
On  Latium  first  we  stooped,  for  doubtful  life 
That  panted,  sunk  beneath  unnumbered  woes. 
Ah,  poor  Italia  !  what  a  bitter  cup 
Of  vengeance  hast   thou  drained  ?  Goths,  Vandals^ 

Huns, 
Lombards,  barbarians  broke  from  every  land, 
How  many  a  ruffian  form  hast  thou  beheld  ? 
What  horrid  jargons  heard,  where  rage  alone 
Was  all  thy  frighted  ear  could  comprehend  ? 
How  frequent  by  the  red  inhuman  hand, 
Yet  warm  with  brother's,  husband's,  fathor's  blood. 
Hast  thou  thy  matrons  and  thy  virgins  seen 
To  violation  dragged,  and  mingled  deatli  ? 
What  conflagrations,  earthquakes,  ravage,  floods, 
Have  turned  thy  cities  into  stony  wilds  ; 
And  succorless,  and  bare,  the  poor  remains 
Of  wretches  forth  to  Nature's  common  cast  ? 
Added  to  these  the  still  continued  waste 
Of  inbred  foes  that  on  thy  vitals  prey,;}; 
And,  double  tyrants,  seizt;  the  very  soul. 
Where  hadst  thou  treasures  for  this  rajiine  all  ? 
These  hungry  myriads,  that  thy  bowels  tore. 
Heaped  sack  on  sack,  and  buried  in  their  rage 
Wonders  of  art  ;  whence  this  gray  scene,  a  mine 
Of  more  than  gold  becomes,  and  orient  gems. 


♦  V»8salage.  whence  the  attarihmoiii  of  cliins  to  their  chiel 
f  Dueling.  \  The  Hierarchy. 


LIBERTY,  tOS 

Where  Egypt,  Greece,  and  Rome  united  glow. 

"Here  Sculpture,  Painting,  Architecture,  bent 
From  ancient  models  to  restore  their  arts, 
Remained.     A  little  trace  we  how  they  rose. 

"  Amid  the  hoary  ruins,  Sculpture  first. 
Deep  digging,  from  the  cavern  dark  and  damp^ 
Their  grave  for  ages,  bid  her  marble  race 
Spring  to  new  light.     Joy  sparkled  in  her  eyes. 
And  old  remembrance  thrilled  in  every  thought, 
As  she  the  pleasing  resurrection  saw. 
In  leaning  site,  respiring  from  his  toils, 
The  well-known  Hero,  who  delivered  Greece, 
His  ample  chest,  all  tempested  with  force, 
Unconquerable  reared.     She  saw  the  head, 
Breathing  the  hero,  small,  of  Grecian  size. 
Scarce  more  extensive  than  the  sinewy  neck  ; 
The  spreading  shoulders,  muscular,  and  broad  ; 
The  whole  a  mass  of  swelling  sinews,  touched 
Into  harmonious  shape  ;  she  saw,  and  joyed. 
The  yellow  hunter,  Meleagor,  raised 
His  beauteous  front,  and  through  the  finished  whole 
Shows  what  ideas  smiled  of  old  in  Greece. 
Of  raging  aspect,  ruslied  impetuous  forth 
The  Gladiator  :  pitiless  his  look, 
And  each  keen  sinew  braced,  the  storm  of  war, 
Riffling,  o'er  all  liis  nervous  body  frowns. 
The  dying  other  from  the  gloom  she  drew, 
Supported  on  his  shortened  arm  he  leans, 
Prone,  agonizing  ;  with  incumbent  fate, 
llt-avy  declines  his  h(*a<l  ;  yet  dark  beneath 
Tlie  suffering  feature  sullen  vengeance  lours. 
Shame,  indignation,  unaccomplished  rage. 
And  still  the  (;heat(!d  eye  oxpi'cts  his  fall. 
Ail  con<piest-fiush('d,  from  prostrate  Python,  came 
The  (piivered  God.      In  graceful  act  he  stands. 
His  arm  extended  with  the  s];i(;keiied  bow  : 
Light  flows  his  easy  robe,  and  fair  displays 
A  manly  softened  form.     TIk;  bloom  of  gods 
Seems  youthful  o'er  tlu;  beardless  eheek  to  wave} 
Mis  features  yet  heroic  ardor  warms  ; 


tM  UBEKTY. 

And,  sweet  subsiding  to  a  native  smile, 

Mixed  with  the  joy  elating  conquest  gives, 

A  scattered  frown  exalts  his  matcliless  air. 

On  Flora  moved  ;  her  full  p]'opo"*ioned  limbs 

Rise  through  the  mantle  flutterin     in  the  breeze. 

The  Queen  of  Love  arose,  as  ..-om  the  deep 

She  sprung  in  all  the  melting  porno  of  charms. 

Bashful  she  bends,  her  well-taught  look  aside 

Turns  in  enchanting  guise,  where  dubious  mix 

Vain  conscious  beauty,  a  dissembled  sense 

Of  modest  shame,  and  slippery  looks  of  love. 

The  gazer  grows  enamored,  and  the  stone, 

As  if  exulting  in  its  conquest,  smiles. 

So  turned  each  limb,  so  swelled  with  softening  art, 

That  the  deluded  eye  the  marble  doubts. 

At  last  her  utmost  masterpiece  she  found. 

That  Maro  fired  ;  the  miserable  sire. 

Wrapt  with  his  sons  in  fate's  severest  grasp  ; 

The  serpents,  twisting  round,  their  stringent  folds 

Inextricable  tie.     Such  passion  here. 

Such  agonies,  such  bitterness  of  pain, 

Seem  so  to  tremble  through  the  tortured  stone, 

That  the  touched  heart  engrosses  all  the  view. 

Almost  unmarked  the  best  proportions  pass, 

That  ever  Greece  beheld  ;  and,  seen  alone. 

On  the  wrapt  eye  the  imperious  passions  seize 

The  father's  double  pangs,  both  for  himself 

And  sons  convulsed  ;  to  Heaven  his  rueful  look, 

Imploring  aid,  and  half  accusing,  cast ; 

His  fell  despair  with  indignation  mixed. 

As  the  strong  curling  monsters  from  his  side 

His  full  extended  fury  cannot  tear. 

More  tender  touched,  with  varied  art,  his  sons 

All  the  soft  rage  of  younger  passions  show. 

In  a  boy's  helpless  fate  one  sinks  oppressed  ; 

While,  yet  unpierced,  the  frighted  other  tries 

His  foot  to  steal  out  of  the  liorrid  twine. 

"  She  bore  no  more,  but  straight-  from  Gothic  roft 
Her  chisel  cleared,  and  dust  and  fragments  drove 
Impetous  round.     Successive  as  it  went 


LIBERTY.  907 

From  son  to  son,  with  more  enlivening  touch, 
From  the  brute  rock  it  called  the  breathing  form  ; 
Till,  in  a  legislator's  awful  grace 
Dressed,  Buonaroti  bid  a  Moses  rise. 
And,  looking  love  immense,  a  Savior  God. 

**  Of  these  observant,  Painting  felt  the  fire 
Burn  inward.     Then  ecstatic  she  diffused 
The  canvas,  seized  pallet,with  quick  hand  then 
The  colors  brewed  ;  and  on  the  void  expanse 
Her  gay  creation  poured,  her  mimic  world. 
Poor  was  the  manner  of  her  eldest  race. 
Barren,  and  dry  ;  just  struggling  from  the  taste 
That  had  for  ages  scared,  in  cloisters  dim, 
The  superstitious  herd  ;  yet  glorious  then 
Were  deemed  their  works  ;  where  undeveloped  lay 
The  future  wonders  that  enriched  mankind, 
And  a  new  light  and  grace  o'er  Europe  oust. 
Arts  gradual  gather  streams.     Enlarging  this, 
To  each  his  portion  of  her  various  gifts 
The  goddess  dealt,  to  none  indulging  all  ; 
No,  not  to  Raphael.     At  kind  distance  still 
Pefection  stands,  like  Happiness,  to  tempt 
The  eternal  chase.     In  elegant  design. 
Improving  Nature  ;  in  ideas  fair. 
Or  great,  extracted  from  the  fine  antique  ; 
In  attitude,  expression,  airs  divine  ; 
Her  sons  of  Rome  and  Florence  bore  the  prize. 
To  those  of  Venice  she  the  magic  art 
Of  colors  melting  into  colors  gave. 
Theirs  too  it  was  by  one  embracing  mass 
Of  light  and  shade,  that  settles  round  the  whole, 
Of  varies  tremulous  from  part  to  part. 
O'er  all  a  binding  harmony  to  throw, 
To  raise  the  picture,  and   repose  the  sight. 
The  Lombard  school,*  succeeding,  mingled  both. 

"  Meantime  dread  fanes,  and  pahiccs,  around. 
Roared  the  raagnific  front.     Music  again 


•TheBchool  of  Caracci.     [So  anuotutcii  l)y  Tbomsou  ;  but 
h«  should  have  said  "  the  Bolognese  school. "] 


lOe  UBERTY. 

Her  universal  language  of  the  heart 
Renewed  ;  and,  rising  from  the  plaintive  vale, 
To  the  full  concert  spread,  and  solemn  choir. 

"  E'en  bigots  smiled  ;  to  their  protection  took 
Arts  not  their  own,  and  from  thein  borrowed  pomp  \ 
For  in  a  tyrant's  garden  these  awhile 
May  bloom,  though  freedom  be  their  parent  soil. 

"And  now  confessed,  with  gently  growing  gleam 
The  morning  shone,  and  westward  streamed  its  light 
The  muse  awoke.     Not  sooner  on  the  wing 
Is  the  gay  bird  of  dawn.     Artless  her  voice, 
Untaught  and  wild,  yet  wai-bling  through  the  woods 
Romantic  lays.     But  as  her  northern  course 
She,  with  her  tutor  Science,  in  my  train, 
Ardent  pursued,  her  strains  more  nobly  grew  ; 
While  Reason  drew  the  plan,  the  Heart  informed 
The  moral  page,  and  Fancy  lent  it  grace. 

"  Rome  and  her  circling  deserts  cast  behind, 
I  passed  not  idle  to  my  great  sojourn. 

"  On  Arno's  fertile  plain,  where  the  rich  vine 
Luxuriant  o'er  Erurian  mountains  roves, 
Safe  in  the  lap  reposed  of  private  bliss, 
I  small  republics  *  raised.     Thrice  happy  they  : 
Had  social  Freedom  bound  their  peace,  and  arts, 
Instead  of  ruling  Power,  ne'er  meant  for  them. 
Employed  their  little  cares,  and  saved  their  fate. 

"  Beyond  the  rugged  Apennines,  that  roll 
Far  through  Italian  bounds  their  wavy  tops, 
My  path,  too,  I  with  public  blessings  strewed  ; 
Free  states  and  cities,  where  the  Lombard  plain. 
In  spite  of  culture  negligent  and  gross, 
From  her  deep  bosom  pours  unbidden  joys, 
And  green  o'er  all  the  land  a  garden  spreads. 

"  The  barren  rocks  themselves  beneath  my  foot, 
Relenting  bloomed  on  the  Ligurian  shore. 
Thick  swarming  people  f  there,  like  emmets,  seized 

♦  The  republics  of  Florence,  Pisa.  I.uccu,  and  SicDii. 

f  The  Ge:io<;8e  territory  is  reckoned  vitv  populous  ;  but  the 
towDS  and  villages  for  the  most  part  lie  hid  among  tlie  ApoD- 
nine  rf>ck8  and  raountaius. 


LIBERTY.  •» 

Amid  surrounding  cliffs,  the  scattered  spots, 
Wiiich  Nature  left  in  her  destroying  rage,* 
Made  their  own  fields,  nor  sighed  for  other  lands. 
There,  in  white  prospect  from  tlie  rocky  hill 
Gradual  descending  to  the  slieltered  shore, 
By  me  proud  Genoa's  marble  turrets  rose. 
And  while  my  genuine  spirit  warmed  her  sons, 
Beneath  her  Uorias,  not  unworthy,  she 
Vied  for  the  trident  of  the  narrow  seas. 
Ere  Britain  yet  had  opened  all  the  main. 

"  Nor  be  the  then  triumphant  state  forgot  ;  f 
Where,  J  pushed  from  plundered  earth,  a  remnant  still, 
Inspired  by  me,  through  the  dark  ages  kept 
Of  ray  old  Roman  flame  some  sparks  alive  : 
The  seeming  god-built  city  !  which  my  hand 
Deep  in  the  bosom  fixed  of  wondering  seas. 
Astonished  mortals  sailed,  with  pleasing  awe. 
Around  the  sea-girt  walls,  by  Neptune  fenced. 
And  down  the  briny  street  ;  where  on  each  hand, 
Amazing  seen  amid  unstable  waves, 
The  splendid  palace  shines  ;  and  rising  tides, 
The  green  steps  mai'king,  murmur  at  the  door. 
To  this  fair  Queen  of  Adria's  stormy  gulf, 
The  mart  of  nations  !  long,  obedient  seas 
Rolled  all  the  treasure  of  the  radiant  East. 
But  now  no  more.     Than  one  great  tyrant  worse 
(Whose  shared  oppression  lightens,  as  diffused,) 
Each  subject  tearing,  many  tyrants  rose. 
The  least  the  proudest.     Joined  in  dark  cabal, 
They  jealous,  watchful,  silent,  and  severe. 
Cast  o'er  the  indissoluV^le  chains  ; 
The  softer  shackles  of  luxurious  case 


*  According  lo  Dr.  Burnet's  system  of  IIk;  Deluge. 

f  Venice  whs  tiie  most  rtourishinii;  city  in  Kmope,  with  regard 
lo  trade,  before  tiie  piis.siige  to  tlie  East  Indies  hy  the  Cape  of 
Good  Hope  and   America  was  diseovercd. 

X  Those  who  fled  to  some  marsiies  in  Ww.  Adriatic  gulf,  from 
the  desolation  spread  over  Italy  by  an  irruption  of  the  Huns 
flrst  founded  there  this  famous  city,  about  the  beginning  of 
fifth  century. 


910  UBERTY. 

They  likewise  added,  to  secure  their  sway. 

Thus  Venice  fainter  shines  ;  and  Commerce  thni^ 

Of  toil  impatient,  flags  the  drooping  sail. 

Bursting,  besides,  his  ancient  bounds,  he  took 

A  larger  circle  ;  *  found  anotlier  seat,  f 

Opening  a  thousand  ports,  and,  charmed  with  toil, 

Whom  nothing  can  dismay,  far  other  sons. 

"  The  mountains  then,  clad  with  eternal  snow. 
Confessed  my  power.     Deep  as  the  rampant  rocks, 
By  Nature  thrown  insuperable  round, 
I  planted  there  a  league  of  friendly  states,  J 
And  bade  plain  Freedom  there  ambition  be. 
There  in  the  vale,  where  rural  plenty  fills. 
From  lakes,  and  meads,  and  furrowed  fields,  her  horn, 
Chief,  §  where  the  I.eman  pure  emits  the  Rhone, 
Rare  to  be  seen  !  unguilty  cities  rise. 
Cities  of  brothers  formed  :  while  equal  life, 
Accorded  gracious  with  revolving  power, 
Maintains  them  free  ;  and,  in  their  happy  streets. 
Nor  cruel  deed,  nor  misery,  is  known. 
For  valor,  faith,  and  innocence  of  life 
Renowned,  a  rough  laborious  people,  there, 
Not  only  give  the  dreadful  Alps  to  smile. 
And  press  their  culture  on  retiring  snows  ; 
But,  to  firm  order  trained  and  patient  war. 
They  likewise  know,  beyond  the  nerve  remiss 
Of  mercenary  force,  how  to  defend 
The  tasteful  little  their  hard  toil  has  earned. 
And  the  proud  arm  of  Bourbon  to  defy. 

"  E'en,  cheered   by   me,   their   shaggy  mountains 
charm. 
More  than  or  Gallic  or  Italian  plains  ; 
And  sickening  Fancy  oft,  when  absent  long, 
Pines  II  to  behold  their  Alpine  views  again  ; 

*  The  Main  Ocean.       f  Great  Britain.       %  Swiss  Cantons 
§  Geneva,    situated  on   Lacus  Lemanus,  a  small   state,    but 

noble  example  of  the  blessings  of  civil  and  religious  liberty. 
I  The  Swiss,  after  having  i)een  long  absent  from  their  native 

country,  are  seized  with  such  a  violent  desire;  of  seeing  it  again, 

»8  affects  them  with  a  kind  of  languishing  indisposition,  called 

the  Swiss-sickness. 


LIBERTY.  %\\ 

TTie  hollow-winding  stream  ;  the  vale,  fair  spread 
Amid  an  amphitheater  of  hills  ; 
Whence,  vapor  winged,  the  sudden  tempest  springs 
From  steep  to  steep  ascending,  the  gray  train 
Of  fogs,  thick-rolled  into  romantic  shapes  : 
The  flitting  cloud,  against  the  summit  dashed  ; 
And,  by  the  sun  illumined,  pouring  bright 
A  gemmy  shower  ;  hung  o'er  amazing  rocks. 
The  mountain  ash,  and  solemn  sounding  pine  ; 
The  snow-fed  torrent,  in  white  mazes  tost, 
Down  to  the  clear  ethereal  lake  below  ; 
And,  high  o'ertopping  all  the  broken  scene, 
The  mountain  fading  into  sky  ;  where  shines 
On  winter,  winter  shivering,  and  whose  top 
Licks  from  their  cloudy  magazine  the  snow. 

"  From  these  descending,  as  I  waved  ray  course 
O'er  vast  Germania,  the  ferocious  nurse 
Of  hardy  men  and  hearts  affronting  death, 
I  gave  some  favored  cities,  *  tliere  to  lift 
A  nobler  brow,  and  through  their  swarming  streets. 
More  busy,  wealthy,  cheerful,  and  alive. 
In  each  contented  face  to  look  my  soul. 

"  Thence  the  loud  Baltic  passing,  black  with  storm. 
To  wintry  Scandinavia's  utmost  bound  ; 
There,  I  the  manly  race,  \  the  parent  hive 
Of  the  mixed  kingdoms,  formed  into  a  state 
More  regularly  free.     By  keener  air 
Their  genius  purged,  and  tempered  hard  by  frost, 
Tempest  and  toil,  their  nerves  the  sons  of  those 
Whose  only  terror  was  a  bloodless  death  ; 
They,  wise  and  dauntless,  still  sustain  my  cause. 
Yet  there  I  fixed  not.     Turning  to  the  south, 
The  whispering  zephyrs  siglied  at  my  delay." 

Here,  with  tlie  sliil"t('<l  vision,  burst  my  joy  :  — 
"  O  the  dear  prospect  !   O  majestic  view  ! 
See  Britain's  empire  !  lo  !  tlu;  watery  vast 
Wide  waves,  diffusing  the  ecruleun  plain. 
And  now,  methinks,  like  clouds  at  distance  seen. 


♦  The  Hanse  Towns.  \  The  Sweden 


»U  LIBERTY. 

Emerging  white  from  deeps  of  ether,  dawn 

My  kindred  cliffs  ;  whence,  wafted  in  the  gale, 

Ineffable,  a  secret  sweetness  breathes. 

Goddess,  forgive  !  —  my  heart,  sui-prised,  o'erflows 

With  filial  fondness  for  the  land  you  bless." 

As  parents  to  a  child  complacent  deign 

Approvance,  the  celestial  Brightness  smiled  ; 

Then  thus  :  —  "As  o'er  the  wave  resounding  deep, 

To  my  near  reign,  the  happy  isle,  I  steered 

With  easy  wing  ;  behold  !  from  surge  to  surge, 

Stalked  the  tremendous  Genius  of  the  Deep. 

Around  him  clouds,  in  mingled  tempest,  hung  ; 

Tliick  flashing  meteors  crowned  his  starry  head  ; 

And  ready  thunder  reddened  in  his  hand. 

Or  from  it  streamed  compressed  the  gloomy  cloud. 

Where'er  he  looked,  the  trembling  waves  recoiled. 

He  needs  but  strike  the  conscious  flood,  and  shook 

From  shore  to  shore,  in  agitation  dire, 

It  works  his  dreadful  will.     To  me  his  voice 

(Like  that  hoarse  blast  that  round  the  cavern  howls. 

Mixed  with  the  murmurs  of  the  falling  main,) 

Addressed  began  — '  By  Fate  commissioned,  go. 

My  Sister-Goddess  now,  to  yon  blessed  isle. 

Henceforth  the  partner  of  my  rough  domain. 

All  my  dread  walks  to  Britons  open  lie. 

Those  that  refulgent,  or  with  rosy  morn, 

Or  yellow  evening,  flame  ;  those  that,  profuse. 

Drunk  by  equater's  suns,  severely  shine  ; 

Or  those  that,  to  the  poles  approving,  rise 

In  billows  rolling  into  Alps  of  ice. 

E'en,  yet  untouched  by  daring  keel,  be  theirs 

The  vast  Pacific  ;  that  on  other  worlds. 

Their  future  conquest,  rolls  resounding  tides. 

Long  I  maintained  inviolate  my  reign  ; 

Nor  Alexanders  me,  nor  Caesars  braved. 

Still,  in  the  crook  of  shore,  the  coward  sail 

Till  now  low  crept  ;  and  peddling  cominerce  plied 

Between  near  joining  lands.     For  Britons,  chief 

It  was  reserved,  with  star-directed  prow, 

To  dare  the  middle  deep,  and  drive  assured 


UBERTY.  an 

To  dietant  nations  through  the  pathless  main. 
Chief,  for  their  fearless  hearts  the  glory  waits, 
Long  months  from  laud,  while  the  black  stormy  night 
Around  them  rage:-!,  on  the  groaiiinGj  rnast 
With  unshook  knee  to  know  their  gi<ldy  way  ; 
To  sing,  unquelled,  amid  the  lasliing  wave  ; 
To  laugh  at  danger.     Theirs  the  triumph  be, 
By  deep  Invention's  keen  pervading  eye, 
The  heart  of  Courage,  and  the  hand  of  Toil, 
Kach  conquered  ocean  staining  with  their  blood, 
Inst  'ad  of  treasure  robbed  by  ruffian  war. 
Round  social  earth  to  circle  fair  exchange. 
And  bind  the  nations  in  a  golden  chain. 
To  these  I  honored  stoop.     Rushing  to  light 
A.  race  of  men  behold  !  whose  daring  deeds 
Will  in  renown  exalt  my  nameless  plains 
O'er  those  of  fabling  earth,  as  hers  to  mine 
In  terror  yield.     Nay,  could  my  savage  heart 
Such  glories  check,  their  unsubmitting  soul 
Would  all  my  fury  brave,  my  tempest  climb, 
And  might  in  spite  of  me  my  kingdom  force. 
Here,  waiting  no  reply,  the  shadowy  power 
Eased  the  dark  sky,  and  to  the  deep  returned  ; 
While  the  loud  thunder  rattling  from  his  hand, 
Auspicious,  sho  )k  opponent  Gallia's  shore. 

"  Of  this  encounter  glad,  my  way  to  land 
I  quick  pursued,  that  from  the  smiling  sea 
Received  me  joyous.     Loud  acclaims  were  heard? 
And  music,  more  than  mortal,  warbling,  tilled 
With  pleased  astonishment  the  laboring  hind. 
Who  for  a  while  the  unfinished  furrow  left. 
And  yet  the  listening  steer  forgi't  his  toil. 
Unseen  by  grosser  eye,  Hrit;uuiia  breathed. 
And  her  aerial  train  these?  sounds  of  joy. 
P\>r  of  old  time,  since  first  the  rushing  flood. 
Urged  by  almighty  power,  this  favored  isle 
Turiie<l  Hashing  from  the  continent  aside, 
Indented  shore  to  shore  responsive  still, 
Its  guardian  she  —  the  (ioddcss,  whose  sl;ii(l  eye 
lic.irns  tlic  dark  azure  of  the  doubtful  dawn. 


•U  LIBERTY. 

Her  tresses,  like  a  flood  of  softened  light 
Through  clouds  imbrowned,  in  waving  circles  play. 
Warm  on  her  cheek  sits  Beauty's  brightest  rose, 
Of  high  demeanor,  stately,  shedding  grace 
With  every  motion.     Full  her  rising  chest ; 
And  new  ideas  from  her  finished  shape 
Charmed  Sculpture  taking,  might  improve  her  art. 
Such  the  fair  Guardian  of  an  isle  that  boasts, 
Profuse  as  vernal  blooms,  the  fairest  dames. 
High  shining  on  the  promontory's  brow. 
Awaiting  me,  she  stood  ;  with  hope  inflamed, 
By  my  mixed  spirit  burning  in  her  sons, 
To  firm,  to  polish,  and  exalt  the  state. 

"  The  native  Getiii,  round  her,  radiant  smiled. 
Courage,  of  soft  deportment,  aspect  calm, 
Unboastful,  suffering  long,  and,  till  provokeci 
As  mild  and  harmless  as  the  sporting  child  ; 
But,  on  just  reason,  once  his  fury  roused. 
No  lion  springs  more  eager  to  his  prey  ; 
Blood  is  a  pastime  ;  and  his  heart,  elate, 
Knows  no  depressing  fear.     That  virtue,  known 
By  the  relenting  look,  whose  equal  heart 
For  others  feels,  as  for  another  self  ; 
Of  various  name,  as  various  objects  wake. 
Warm  into  action,  the  kind  sense  within  ; 
Whether  the  blameless  poor,  the  nobly  maimed, 
The  lost  to  reason,  the  declined  in  life. 
The  helpless  young  that  kiss  no  mother's  hand, 
And  the  gray  second  infancy  of  age, 
She  gives  in  public  families  to  live, 
A  sight  to  gladden  heaven  !  whether  she  stands 
Fair  beckoning  at  the  hospitable  gate. 
And  bids  the  stranger  take  repose  and  joy  ; 
Whether,  to  solace  honest  labor,  she 
Rejoices  those  that  make  the  land  rejoice  ; 
Or  whether  to  Philosophy,  and  Arts, 
(At  once  the  basis  and  the  finished  pride 
Of  government  and  life)  she  spreads  her  hand  ; 
Nor  knows  her  gift  profuse,  nor  seems  to  know. 
Doubling  her  bounty,  that  she  gives  at  all. 


LIBERTY.  tl6 

Justice  to  these  her  awful  presence  joined, 

The  mother  of  the  state  !  no  low  revenge, 

No  turbid  passions  in  her  breast  ferment  : 

Tender,  serene,  compassionate  of  vice. 

As  the  last  woe  that  can  afflict  mankind. 

She  punishment  awards  ;  yet  of  the  good 

More  piteous  still,  and  of  the  suffering  whole, 

Awards  it  firm.     So  fair  her  just  degree. 

That,  in  his  judging  peers,  each  on  himself 

Pronounces  his  own  doom.     O  happy  land  ! 

Where  reigns  alone  this  justice  of  the  free  ! 

Mid  the  bright  group  Sincerity  his  front, 

Effusive,  reared  ;  his  pure  untroubled  eye 

The  fount  of  truth.     The  thoughtful  Power,  apart» 

Now,  pensive,  cast  on  earth  his  fixed  regard. 

Now,  touched  celestial,  launched  it  on  the  sky. 

The  Genius,  he  whence  Britain  shines  supreme, 

The  land  of  light,  and  rectitude  of  mind. 

He,  too,  the  fire  of  fancy  feeds  intense. 

With  all  the  train  of  passions  thence  derived  ; 

Not  kindling  quick,  a  noisy  transient  blaze. 

But  gradual,  silent,  lasting,  and  profound. 

Near  him,  Retirement,  pointing  to  the  shade, 

And  Independence  stood  ;  the  generous  pair, 

That  simple  life,  the  quiet-wbispering  grove. 

And  the  still  raptures  of  the  free-born  soul, 

To  cates  prefer  by  Virtue  bought,  not  earned. 

Proudly  prefer  them  to  the  servile  pomp, 

And  to  the  heart-erabittored  joys  of  slaves. 

Or  should  the  latter  to  the  public  scene 

demanded,  quit  his  sylvan  friend  awhile  ; 

Naught  can  his  firmness  shake,  nothing  seda06 

His  zeal,  still  active  for  the  commonweal ; 

Nor  stormy  tyrants,  nor  corru]>ti()n's  tools, 

Foul  ministers,  dark-working  by  the  force 

Of  secret-sapjiint'^  i?"l<^-     -^"  tlieir  vile  arts. 

Their  shameful  honors,  their  perfidious  gifts 

He  greatly  scorns  ;  and,  if  he  must  betray 

His  plundered  country,  or  his  j)ower  resign, 

A  moment's  parley  were  eternal  shame  : 


ili  LIBERTY. 

Illustrious  into  private  life  again, 

From  dirty  levees  he  unstained  ascends, 

And  firm  in  senates  stands  the  patriot'fl  ground, 

Or  draws  new  vigor  in  the  peaceful  shade. 

Aloof  the  bashful  virtue  hovered  coy, 

Proving,  by  sweet  distrust,  distrusted  worth. 

Rough  Labor  closed  the  train  :  and  in  his  hand. 

Rude,  callous,  smew-swelled,  and  black  with  toil. 

Came  manly  Indignation.     Sour  he  seems, 

And  more  than  seems,  by  lawless  pride  assailed  ; 

Yet  kind  at  heart,  and  just,  and  generous  there 

No  vengeance  lurks,  no  pale,  insidious  gall ; 

Even  in  the  very  luxury  of  rage, 

He  softening  can  forgive  a  gallant  foe  ; 

The  rferve,  support,  and  glory  of  the  land  ! 

Nor  be  Religion,  rational  and  free. 

Here  passed  in  silence  ;  whose  enraptured  eye 

Sees  Heaven  with  earth  connected,  human  things 

Linked  to  divine  :  who  not  from  servile  fear. 

By  rites  for  some  weak  tyrant  incense  fit, 

The  God  of  Love  adores,  but  from  a  heart 

Effusing  gladness,  into  pleasing  awe 

That  now  astonished  swells,  now  in  a  calm 

Of  fearless  confidence  that  smiles  serene  ; 

That  lives  devotion,  one  continual  hymn, 

And  then  most  graceful,  when  Heaven's  bounty  meet 

Is  right  enjoyed.     This  ever  cheerful  Power 

O'er  the  raised  circle  rayed  superior  day. 

"  I  joyed  to  join  the  V  irtues,  whence  my  reign 
O'er  Albion  was  to  rise.     Each  cheering  each. 
And,  like  the  circling  planets  from  the  sun, 
All  borrowing  beams  from  me,  a  heightened  zeal 
Impatient  fired  us  to  commence  our  toils. 
Or  pleasures  rather.     Long  the  pungent  time 
Passed  not  in  mutual  hails  ;  but,  through  the  laud 
Darting  our  light,  we  shone  the  fogs  away. 

"  The  Virtues  conquer  with  a  single  look. 
Such  grace,  such  beauty,  such  victorious  light, 
Live  in  their  presence,  stream  in  every  glance, 
That  the  soul  won,  enamored,  and  refined. 


LIBERTY.  *17 

Grows  their  own  image,  pure  ethereal  flame. 

Hence,  the  foul  Demons,  tliat  oppose  our  reign. 

Would  still  from  us  deluded  mortals  wrap  ; 

Or  in  gross  shades  they  drown  the  visual  ray  ; 

Or  by  the  fogs  of  prejudice,  where  mix 

Falsehood  and  truth  confounded,  foil  the  sense 

With  vain  refracted  images  of  bliss. 

But  chief  around  the  court  of  flattered  kings 

They  roll  the  dusky  rampart,  wall  o'er  wall 

Of  darkest  pile,  and  with  their  thickest  shade 

Secure  the  throne.     No  savage  Alp,  the  den 

Of  wolves,  and  bears,  and  m<inslrous  things  obscene 

That  vex  the  swain,  and  waste  the  country  round, 

Protected  lies  beneath  a  deeper  cloud  ; 

Yet  there  we  sometimes  send  a  searching  ray, 

As,  at  the  sacred  opening  of  the  morn. 

The  prowling  race  retire  ;  so,  pierced  severe, 

Before  our  potent  blaze  these  Demons  fly. 

And  all  their  works  dissolve  —  the  whispered  tale. 

That,  like  the  fabling  Nile,  no  fountain  knows  ; 

Fair-faced  Deceit,  whose  wily  conscious  eye 

Ne'er  looks  direct  ;  the  tongue  that  licks  the  dust, 

But  when  it  safely  dares,  as  prompt  to  sting  ; 

Smooth  crocodile  Destruction,  whose  fell  tears 

Ensnare  ;  the  Janus-face  of  courtly  Pride  :  — 

One  to  superiors  heaves  submissive  eyes, 

On  hapless  work  the  other  scowls  disdain  : 

Cheeks  that  for  some  weak  tenderness,  alone, 

Some  virtuous  slip,  can  wear  a  blush  ;  —  the  laugh 

Profane,  when  midnight  bowls  disclose  the  heart. 

At  starving  Virtue,  and  at  Virtue's  fools  ; 

Determined  to  be  broke,  the  plighted  faith  ; 

Nay  more,  the  godless  oath,  that  knows  no  ties  ; 

Soft-buzzing  Slander  ;  silky  tiioIIis,  that  eat 

An  honest  nanuj  ;  the  har])y  liaiul,  and  maw. 

Of  avaricious  Luxury,  who  makes 

The  throne  his  shelter,   venal  laws  his  fort 

And,  his  [best]  service  who  betrays  his  king, 

"  Now,  turn  your  view,  and  mark  from  CN^ltic  *  night 

*  Great  Britain  waa  peopled  by  the  Cclta;  or  Oaulb. 


81«  LIBERTY. 

To  present  grandeur  how  my  Bi-itain  rose. 

"  Bold  were  those  Britons,  who  the  careless  sons 
Of  Nature,  roamed  the  forest-bounds,  at  once 
Their  verdant  city,  high-embowering  fane, 
And  the  gay  circle  of  their  woodland  wars  : 
For  by  the  Druid  taught,  that  death  but  shifts 
The  vital  scene,  they  that  prime  fear  despised  ; 
And,  prone  to  rush  on  steel,  disdaining  to  spare 
An  ill  saved  life  that  must  again  return. 
Erect  from  Nature's  hand,  by  tyrant  force. 
And  still  more  tyrant  custom,  unsubdued, 
Man  knows  no  master  save  creating  Heaven, 
Or  such  as  choice  and  common  good  ordain. 
This  general  sense,  with  which  the  nations  I 
Promiscuous  fire,  in  Britons  burned  intense. 
Of  future  times  prophetic.     Witness,  Rome, 
Who  sawest  thy  Caesar,  from  the  naked  land. 
Whose  only  fort  was  British  hearts,  repelled. 
To  seek  Pharsalian  wreaths.     Witness,  the  toil. 
The  blood  of  ages,  bootless  to  secure, 
Beneath  an  empire's  yoke,  a  stubborn  isle, 
Disputed  hard,  and  never  quite  subdued.         [scorned 
The  North  remained   untouched,    where  those   who 
To  stoop  retired  ;  and,  to  their  keen  effort 
Yielding  at  last,  recoiled  the  Roman  power. 
In  vain,  unable  to  sustain  the  shock. 
From  sea  to  sea  desponding  legion::  raised 
The  wall  immense,  and  yet,  on  summer's  eve. 
While  sport  his  lambkins  round,  the  shepherd's  gaze. 
Continual  o'er  it  burst  the  northern  storm. 
As  often  checked,  receded  ;  threatening  hoarse 
A  swift  return.     But  the  devouring  flood 
No  more  endured  control,  when,  to  support 
The  last  remains  of  empire,  was  recalled 
The  weary  Roman,  and  the  Briton  lay 
Unnerved,  exhausted,  spiritless,  and  sunk. 
Great  proof  !  how  men  enfeebled  into  slaves. 
The  sword  *  behind  him   flashed  ;  before  him  roared, 

*  Tlie  Britons  applying  to  ^tius  tlie  Roman  general  foi 
•sistaoce,   thus  expressed  their  miserable  condition   :  "We 


LIBERTY.  2i;- 

Deaf  to  bis  woes  the  deep.     Forlorn,  around 
i  le  rolled  his  eye,  not  sparkling  ardent  flame. 
As  when  Caractacus  *  to  battle  led 
Silurian  swains,  and  B  adicea  taught 
Her  raging  troops  the  miseries  of  slaves. 

"■  Then  sad  relief,  from  the  bleak  coast  that  hears 
Tlie  German  Ocean  roar,  deep  blooming,  strong, 
And  yellow-haired,  the  blue-eyed  Saxon  came. 
He  came  implored,  but  came  with  other  aim 
Than  to  protect ;   for  conquest  and  defence 
Suffices  the  same  arm.     With  the  fierce  race 
Poured  in  a  fresh  invigorating  stream, 
Blood,  where  unequaled  a  mighty  spirit  glowed. 
Rash  war,  and  perilous  battle,  their  delight  ; 
And  immature,  and  red  with  glorious  winds, 
Unpeaceful  death  their  choice  ;  deriving  thence 
A  right  to  feast,  and  drain  immortal  bowls, 
In  Odin's  hall  ;  f  whose  blazing  roof  resounds 

know  not  which  way  to  turn  us.  The  barbarianB  drive  us  to 
s^a,  and  the  sea  forces  us  back  to  the  barbarians :  between 
which  we  have  only  the  choice  of  two  deaths,  either  to  bo 
swallowed  up  by  the  waves,  or  butchered  by  the  sword." 

•  King  of  the  Silures,  famous  for  his  great  exploits,  and 
accounted  the  best  general  Great  Britain  h  d  ever  produced. 
The  Silures  were  esteemed  the  bravest  and  luont  powerful  of 
all  the  Britons  ;  they  inhabited  Herefordshiro,  Radnorshire, 
Brecknockshire,  Monmouthshire,  and  Glamorgun.shire. 

t  It  is  certain  that  an  opinion  was  fixed  and  general  among 
them  (the  Goths)  that  death  was  but  the  entrance  into  another 
life  ;  that  all  men  who  lived  lazy  and  unactive  lives,  and  died 
natiiral  deaths,  by  sickess  and  by  age,  went  into  vast  caves 
underground,  all  dark  and  miry,  full  of  noisome  creatures 
usual  to  such  places,  and  there  forever  grovehd  in  endless 
stench  and  misery.  Ou  the  contrary,  all  who  give  themselves 
to  warlike  actions  and  enterprises,  to  the  conquest  of  their 
neigliljors  and  the  slaughter  of  their  enemies,  and  died  in  bat- 
tle, or  of  violent  deaths  upon  bold  adventures  or  resolutions, 
went  immediately  to  the  vast  ball  or  p;ilaco  of  Odin,  their  god 
of  war,  who  eternally  kept  open  h  u^c  for  all  such  guests, 
where  they  were  entertained  at  intinito  tables,  in  perpetual 
feasts  and  mirth,  carousing  in  bowls  made  of  the  skulls  of  their 
enemies  thev  had  slain  ;  accordiuf^  to  the  nuinher  of  whom, 
every  one  of  these  mansions  of  pleasure  was  the  most  and  best 
entertained. — Sib  William  Temple's  Essay  on  Heroic  Virtue. 


1W  UBSRTY. 

The  genial  uproar  of  those  shades, who  fall 

In  desperate  fight,  or  by  some  brave  attempt  ; 

And  through  more  polished  times  the  martial  creed 

Disown,  yet  st^    the  f euiiess  habit  lives. 

Nor  were  the  surly  gifts  of  war  their  all. 

Wisdom  was  likewise  theirs,  indulgent  laws, 

The  calm  gradations  of  art-nurs'nc;  peace, 

And  matchless  order,  the  deep  basis  still 

On  which  ascends  my  British  reign.     Untamed 

To  the  refining  subtleties  of  slaves, 

They  brought  a  happy  government  along  ; 

Formed  by  that  freedom,  which,  wit    secret  voice, 

Impartial  Nature  teaches  all  her  sens 

And  which  of  old  through  tlie  whole   Scythian    masi 

I  strong  mspired.     Monarchic"!  their  state. 

But  prudently  confined,  and  mingled  wise 

Of  each  harmonious  power  •  only,  too  much. 

Imperious  war  into  their  rule  infused, 

Prevailed  their   General-King,  and  Chieftain-Thanee. 

"  In  many  a  field,  by  civil  fury    tained. 
Bled  the  discordant  Heptarchy  ,  and  long 
CEducing  good  from  ill)  the  battle  groaned  ; 
Ere,  blood-cemented,  Anglo-Saxon  saw 
Egbert  *  and  Peace  on  one  united  throne. 

"  No  sooner  dawned  the  fair  disclosing  calm 
Of  brighter  days,  when  lo  !  the  North  anew. 
With  stormy  nations  black,  on  England  poured 
Woes  the  severest  e'er  a  people  felt. 
The  Danish  Raven,  f  lured  by  annual  prey, 
Hung  o'er  the  land  incessant.     Fleet  on  fleet 
Of  barbarous  pirates  unremitting  tore 
The  miserable  coast.     Before  them  stalked, 
Far  seen,  the  Demon  of  devouring  Flame  ; 

•Egbert,  King  of  Wessex,  who,  after  having  reduced  all  the 
other  kingdoms  of  the  Heptarcijy  under  his  domiDion,  was 
the  first  king  of  England . 

f  A  famous  Daaisl:  standard  was  called  liafan,  or  Rayen. 
The  Danes  imagined  that,  before  a  battle,  the  Raven  wrought 
upon  this  standard  clapped  his  wings  or  hung  down  its  bead, 
In  token  of  victory  or  defeat. 


LIBERTY.  til 

Rapine,  and  Murder,  all  with  blood  besmeared, 

Without  or  ear,  or  eye,  or  feeling  heart ; 

While  close  behind  them  marched  the  sallow  Powei 

Of  desolating  Famine,  who  delights 

In  grass-grown  cities,  and  in  desert  fields  ; 

And  purple-spotted  Pestilence,  by  whom 

E'en  friendship  scared,  in  sickening  iiorror  sinlcs 

Each  social  sense  and  tenderness  of  life. 

Fixing  at  least,  the  sanguinary  race 

Spread,  from  the  Humber's  loud-resounding  shore 

To  where  the  Thames  devolves  his  gentle  maze, 

And  with  superior  arm  the  Saxon  awed. 

But  Superstition  first,  and  monkish  dreams, 

And  monk-directed,  cloister-seeking  kings, 

Had  eat  away  his  vigor,  eat  away 

His  edge  of  Courage,  and  depressed  the  soul 

Of  conquering  Freedom,  which  he  once  respired. 

Thus  cruel  ages  passed  ;  and  rare  appeared 

White-mantled  Peace,  exulting  o'er  the  vale, 

As  when,  with  Alfred,  from  the  wilds  she  came 

To  policed  cities  and  protected  plains. 

Thus  by  degrees  the  Saxon  empire  t-unk, 

Then  set  entire  in  Hastings' bloody  field. 

"  Compendious  war  !  (on  Britain's  glory  bent, 
So  fate  ordained)  in  that  decisive  day. 
The  haughty  Norman  seized  at  once  an  isle. 
For  which,  through  many  a  century,    in  vain, 
The  Roman,  Saxon,  Dane,  had  toiled  and  bled. 
Of  Gothic  nations  this  the  final  burst  : 
And,  mixed  the  genius  of  t/iese  people  all. 
Their  virtues  mixed  in  one  exalted  stream, 
Here  the  rich  tide  of  English  blood  grew  full. 

"  Awhile  my  Spirit  slejit  ;  the  land  awhile, 
Affrighted,  drooped  beneath  despotic  rage. 
Instead  of  P^dward's  *  equal,  gentle   laws, 
The  furious  victor's  partial  will  prevailed. 

•E<lward  the  ('oiifc.ssfjr,  who  redurcil  Wc^i  Saxon,  Mercian, 
and  Daiiisli  laws  into  oue  hody  ;  wliicli  from  that  time,  became 
common  to  all  England,  under  the  name  of  "  The  Laws  ol 
Edward." 


93S  LIBERTY. 

All  prostrate  lay  ;  and,  in  the  secret  shade, 
Deep  stung  but  fearful  ludignatioii  gnashed 
His  teeth.     Of  freedom,  property,  despoiled, 
And  of  their  bulwark,  arms  ;  with  castles  crushed, 
With  ruffians  quartered  o'er  the  bridled  land  ; 
The  shivering  wretches,  at  the  curfew  sound, 
Dejected  shrunk  into  their  sordid  beds, 
And,  through  the  mournful  gloom,  of  ancient  timea 
Mused  sad,  or  dreamt  of  better.     E'en  to  feed 
A  tyrant's  idle  sport,  the  peasant  starved  : 
To  the  wild  herd,  the  pasture  of  the  tame. 
The  cheerful  hamlet,  spiry  town,  was  given, 
And  the  brown  forest  *  roughened  wide  around. 

"  But  this  so  dead,  so  vile  submission,  long 
Endured  not.     Gathering  force,  my  gradual  flame 
Shook  off  the  mountain  of  tyrannic  sway. 
Unused  to  bend,  impatient  of  control. 
Tyrants  themslves  the  common  tyrant  checked. 
The  church  bv  kinG^s  intractable  and  fierce. 
Denied  her  portion  of  the  plundered  state, 
Or,  tempted  by  the  timorous  and  weak. 
To  gain  new  ground,  first  taught  their  rapine  law. 
The  Barons  next  a  nobler  league  began, 
Both  those  of  English  and  of  Norman  race, 
In  one  fraternal  nation  blended  now, 
The  nation  of  the  Free  !  pressed  by  a  band 
Of  Patriots,  ardent  as  the  summer's  noon 
That  looks  delighted  on,  the  tyrant  see  ! 
Mark  !  how  with  feigned  alacrity  he  bears 
His  strong  reluctance  down,  his  dark  revenge, 
And  gives  the  Charter,  by  which  life  indeed 
Becomes  of  price,  a  glory  to  be  man. 

"  Through  this,  and  through  succeeding  reigns 
affirmed 
These  long  contested  rights,  the  wholesome  winds 
Of  Opposition  hence  began  to  blow, 
And  often  since  have  lent  the  country  life. 
Before  their  breath  Corruption's  insect-blights, 

*The  New  Forest  in  Hampshire  ;  to  make  which,  the  country 
for  above  thirty  miles  in  compass  was  laid  waste. 


UBERTY.  938 

The  darkening  clouds  of  evil  counsel,  fly  ; 
Or  should  they  sounding  swell,  a  putrid  court, 
A  pestilential  ministry,  they  purge, 
And  ventilated  states  renew  their  bloom. 

"  Though  with  the  tempered  Monarchy  here  mixed 
Aristocratic  sway,  the  People  still, 
Flattered  by  this  or  that,  as  interest  leaned, 
No  full  protection  knew.     For  me  reserved, 
And  for  my  Commons,  was  that  glorious  turn. 
They  crowned  ray  first  attempt,  in  senates  *  rose 
The  fort  of  Freedom  !     Slow  till  then,  alone. 
Had  worked  that  general  liberty,  that  soul 
Which  generous  nature  breathes,  and  which,   when 

left 
By  me  to  bondage,  was  corrupted  Rome, 
I  through  the  northern  nations  wide  diffused. 
Hence  many  a  people,  fierce  with  freedom,  rushed 
From  the  rude  iron  regions  of  the  North, 
To  Libyan  deserts  swarm  protruding  swarm. 
And  poured  new  spirit  through  a  slavish  world. 
Yet,  o'er  these  Gothic  states,  the  King  and  Chiefs 
Retained  the  high  prerogative  of  war, 
And  with  enormous  property  engrossed 
The  mingled  power.     But  on  Britannia's  shore 
Now  present,  I  to  raise  my  reign  began 
By  raising  the  Democracy,  the  third 
And  broadest  bulwark  of  the  guarded  state. 
Then  was  the  full,  the  perfect  plan  disclosed 
Of  Britain's  matcliloss  constitution,  mixed 
Of  mutual  checking  am]  supporting  powers. 
Kings,  Lords,  and  Commons  ;  nor  the  name  of  free 

•  The  Commons  are  generally  thouglit  to  liiive  tliem  first 
represented  in  parliament  towards  the  end  of  Henry  the  Third's 
reign.  T  ■  a  parliament  called  in  the  year  1264,  each  county 
was  ordere  ^  I o  send  four  knights,  as  representatives  of  their 
respective  shires  :  and  to  a  parliament  called  in  the  year  fol- 
lowing, each  coimty  was  orderecJ  to  send,  its  llieir  representa- 
tives, two  knights,  and  ejich  city  and  borough  as  many  citi- 
zens and  burgesses.  Till  then,  history  makes  no  mention  of 
them  ;  whence  a  very  strong  argumtmt  may  be  drawn,  to  fix 
the  oriijinal  of  the  House  of  Commons  to  that  era. 


tU  UBERTY. 

Deserving,  while  the  vassal-many  drooped  : 
For  since  the  moment  of  the  whole  they  form 
So,  as  depressed  or  raised,  the  balance  they 
Of  public  welfare  and  of  glory  cast. 
Mark  from  this  period  the  continual  proof. 

"  When  kings  of  narrow  genius,  minion-rid, 
Neglecting  faithful  worth  for  fawning  slaves  ; 
Proudly  regardless  of  their  people's  plaints, 
And  purely  passive  of  insulting  foes  ; 
Double,  not  prudent,  obstinate  not  firm, 
Their  mercy  fear,  necessity  their  faith  ; 
Instead  of  generous  fire,  presumptuous,  hot, 
Rash  to  resolve,  and  slothful  to  perform  ; 
Tyrants  at  once  and  slaves  ;  imperious,  mean, 
To  want  rapacious,  joining  shameful  waste  ; 
By  counsels  weak  and  wicked,  easy  roused 
To  paltry  schemes  of  absolute  command. 
To  keek  their  splendor  in  their  sure  disgrace, 
And  in  a  broken,  ruined  people  wealth  : 
When  such  o'ercast  the  state,  no  bond  of  love, 
No  heart,  no  soul,  no  unity,  no  nerve, 
Combined  the  loose  disjointed  public,  lost, 
To  fame  abroad,  ti   happiness  at  come. 

"  But  when  an  Edward,*  and  a  Henry  f  breathed 
Tlu'ough  the  charmed  whole  one  all-exerting  soul ; 
Drawn  sympathetic  from  his  dark  retreat. 
When  wide-attracted  merit  round  them  glowed  ; 
Then  counsels  just,  extensive,  generous,  firm. 
Amid  the  maze  of  state,  determined  kept 
Some  ruling  point  in  view  ;  when,  on  the  stock 
Of  public  good  and  glory  grafted,  spread 
Their  palms,  their  laurels  ;  or,  if  thence  they  stmj 

ed, 
Swift  to  return,  and  patient  of  restraint  ; 
When  regal  state,  pre-eminence  of  place, 
They  scorned  to  deem  pre-eminence  of  ease. 
To  be  luxurious  drones,  that  only  rob 
The  busy  hive  ;  as  in  distinction,  power, 

•  Edward  lU.  f  Henry  V 


UBER1Y,  aw 

Indulgence,  honor,  and  advaatage,  first , 
When  they  too  claimed  in  virtue,  danger,  toil, 
Superior  rank  ;  with  equal  hand,  prepared 
To  guard  the  subject,  and  to  quell  the  foe  ; 
When  such  with  me  their  vital  influence  shed, 
No  muttered  grievance,  hopeless  sigh,  was  heard  ; 
No  foul  distrust  through  wary  senates  ran. 
Confined  their  bounty,  and  their  ardor  quenched 
On  aid,  unquestioned  liberal  aid  was  given  ; 
Safe  in  their  conduct,  by  their  valor  fired. 
Found  where  they  led,  victorious  armies  rushed  ; 
And  Cressy,  Poitiers,  Agincourt  proclaim 
What  kings  supported  by  almighty  Love, 
Aud  people  fired  with  Liberty,  can  do. 

"  Be  veiled  the  savage  reigns,  when  kindred  rage 
The  numerous  once  Plantagenets  devoured, 
A  race  to  vengeance  vowed  !  and,  when  oppressed 
By  private  feuds,  almost  extinguished  lay 
itty  quivering  flame.     But,  in  the  next,  behold  ! 
A  cautious  tyrant  *  lend  it  oil  anew. 

"  Proud,  dark,  suspicious,  brooding  o'er  his  gold^ 
As  how  to  fix  his  throne  he  jealous  cast 
His  crafty  views  round  ;  pierced  with  a  ray, 
Which  on  his  timid  mind  I  darted  full, 
ne  marked  the  barons  of  extensive  sway. 
At  pleasure  making  and  unmaking  kings  ; 
And  hence  to  crush  these  petty  tyrants,  planned 
A  law,f  that  let  tlioin,  by  the  silent  waste 
Of  hixury  their  landed  wealth  diffuse. 
And  with  that  wealth  llieir  im))licate(l  power. 
Hy  soft  degrees  a  mii^lity  change  ensued, 
E'en  working  to  tiiis  day.     With  streams,  deduced 
From  these  diminished  floods,  the  country  smiled. 
As  when  impetuous  from  tlie  sn()\v-hea[)ed  Alps, 
To  v«!rnal  suns  relenting,  pours  the  Rliine  ; 
While,  undivided,  oft,  with  wasteful  Kwe(>p, 
ile  foams  along  ;  but  through  Batavian  meads. 


»  Henry  VII. 

f  Permitting  the  IJarons  lo  alieiiale  their  iaud«. 


IM  UBERTt. 

Branched  into  fair  canals,  indulgent  flows  ; 

Waters  a  thousand  fields  ;  and  culture,  trade, 

Towns,  meadows,  gliding  snips,  and  villas  mixed, 

A  rich,  a  wondrous  landscape  rises  round. 

His  furious  son  the  soul-enslaving  cliain, 

Which  many  a  doting  venerable  age 

Had  link  by  link  strong  twisted  round  the  land, 

Shook  off.     No  longer  could  be  borne  a  power, 

Fi-om  Heaven  pretended,  to  deceive,  to  void 

Each  solemn  tie,  to  plunder  without  bounds, 

To  curb  the  generous  eoul,  to  fool  mankind  ; 

And,  wild  at  last,  to  plunge  into  a  sea 

Of  blood  and  horror.     The  returning  light. 

That   first    through    Wickliff   streaked    the    priestly 

gloom, 
Now  burst  in  open  day.     Bared  to  the  blaze, 
Forth  from  the  naunts  of  Superstition  crawled 
Her  motley  sons,  fantastic  figures  all  ; 
And,  wide  dispersed,  their  useless  fetid  wealth 
In  graceful  labor  bloomed,  and  fruits  of  peace. 

"  Trade,  joined  to  these,  on  every  sea  displayed 
A  daring  canvas,  poured  with  every  tide 
A  golden  flood.     From  other  worlds  *  w^ere  rolled 
The  guilty  glittering  stores,  whose  fatal  charms, 
By  the  plain  Indian  happily  despised, 
Ye.  worked  his  woe  ;  and  to  the  blissful  groves, 
Where  Nature  lived  herself  among  her  sons, 
And  Innocence  and  joy  for  ever  dwelt, 
Drew  rage  unknown  to  pagan  climes  before. 
The  worst  the  zeal-inflamed  barbarian  drew. 
Be  no  such  horrid  commerce,  Britain,  thine  ! 
But  want  for  want,  with  mutual  aid,  supply. 

"The  Commons  thus  enriched,  and  powerful  grown 
Against  the  Barons  weighed.     Eliza  tlien, 
Amid  these  doubtful  mot  ions,  steady,  gave 
The  beam  to  fix.     She  !  like  the  secret  Eye, 
That  never  closes  on  a  guarded  world, 
So  sought,  so  marked,  so  seized  the  j)uhlic  good, 
That  self-supported,  without  one  ally, 

♦  The  tSpanisli  West  Indiets. 


LIBERTY.  aw 

She  awed  her  inward,  quelled  her  circling  foes. 

Inspired  by  me,  beneath  her  sheltering  arm, 

In  spite  of  raging  universal  sway  * 

And  raging  seas  repressed,  the  Belgic  states, 

My  bulwark  on  the  continent,  arose. 

Matchless  in  all  tlie  s})iiiL  of  her  days  ! 

With  confidence  unbounded,  fearless  love 

Elate,  her  fervent  people  waited  gay, 

Cheeiful  demanded  the  long  threatened  fleet,  f 

And  dashed  the  pride  of  Spain  around  their  isle. 

Nor  ceased  the  British  thunder  here  to  rage  ; 

The  deep,  reclaimed,  obeyed  its  awful  call  ; 

In  fire  and  smoke  Iberian  ports  involved, 

The  trembling  foe  even  to  the  center  shook 

Of  their  new  conquered  world,  and,  skulking,  stole 

By  veering  winds  their  Indian  treasure  home. 

Meantime,  Peace,  Plent}',  Justice,  Science,  Arts, 

With  softer  laurels  crowned  her  happy  reign. 

As  yet  uncircumscribed  the  regal  power, 

And  wild  and  vague  prerogative  remained  ; 

A  wide  voracious  gulf,  where  swallowed  oft 

The  helpless  subject  lay.     This  to  reduce 

To  the  just  limit  w^as  my  great  effort. 

"  By  means  that  evil  seem  to  narrow  man, 
Superior  Beings  work  their  mystic  will  : 
From  storm  and  trouble  thus  a  settled  calm, 
At  last,  effulgent,  o'er  Britannia  smiled. 

"The    gathering    tempest,  Ileaven-commissioned, 
came, 
Came    in  the   prince,  \  who,    drunk    with     flattery, 

dreamt 
His  vain  pacific  counsels  ruled  the  world  ; 
Though  scorned  abroad,  bewildered  in  a  maze 
Of  fruitless  treaties  ;  while  at  home  enslaved. 
And  by  a  worthless  crew  insatiate  drained, 

*  The  dominion  of  tlio  house  ui  Austria. 

f  The  Spanish  Arnmdii.  Rapin  says,  that  after  proper  meas- 
ures liad  been  taken,  the  enemy  was  expected  with  uncommon 
alacrity. 

X  James  L 


tm  LIBERTY. 

He  lost  his  people's  confidence  and  love  : 

Irreparable  loss  !  whence  crowns  become 

An  anxious  burden.     Years  inglorious  passed  ; 

Triumphant  Spain  the  vengeful  draught  enjoyed  ; 

Abandoned  Frederick  *  pined,  and  Raleigh  bled 

But  nothing  that  to  these  internal  broils, 

That  rancor,  he  began  ;  while  lawless  sway 

He,  with  his  slavish  Doctors,  tried  to  rear 

On  metaphysic,  f  on  enchanted  ground, 

And  all  the  mazy  quibbles  of  the  schools  : 

As  if  for  one,  and  sometimes  for  the  worst. 

Heaven  had  mankind  in  vengeance  only   made. 

Vain  the  pretense  !  not  to  the  dire  effect. 

The  fierce,  the  foolish  discord  \  thence  derived, 

That  tears  the  country  still,  by  party  rage 

And  ministerial  clamor  kept  aiive. 

In  action  weak,  and  for  the  wordy  war 

Best  fitted,  faint  this  prince  pursued  his  claim  ; 

Content  to  teach  the  subject  herd,  how  great, 

How  sacred  he  !  how  despicable  they  ! 

"  But  his  unyielding  son  these  doctrines  drank, 
With  all  a  bigot's  rage  ;  (who  never  damps 
By  reasoning  his  fire)  ;  and  what  they  taught. 
Warm,  and  tenacious,  into  practice  pushed. 
Senates,  in  vain,  their  kind  restraint  applied  ; 
The  more  they  struggle  to  support  the  laws 
His  justice-dreading  ministers  the  more 
Drove   him   beyond  their  bounds.     Tired   with   the 

check 
Of  faithful  Love,  and  with  the  flattery  pleased 
Of  false  designing  Guilt,  the  fountain  §  he 

*  Hiector  Palatine,  and  who  liad  been  chosen  King  of 
Bohemia,  but  was  stripped  of  all  his  dominions  and  dignities 
by  tlie  Emperor  Ferdinand,  while  James  first,  his  father-in- 
law,  being  amused  from  time  to  time,  endeavored  to  mediate  a 
peace. 

t  The  monstrous  and  till  then  imheard-of  doctrines  of  divine 
Indefeasible  hereditary  right,  passive  obedience,  etc. 

X  The  parties  of  Whig  and  Tory 

%  Parliaments. 


UBEKTY.  tm 

Of  Public  "Wisdom  and  of  Justice  shut. 

Wide  mourned  the  land.     Straight  to  the   voted  aid 

Free,  cordial,  large,  of  never-failing  source, 

The  illegal  imposition  followed  harsh, 

With  execration  given,  or  ruthless  squeezed 

From  an  insulted  people,  by  a  band 

Of  the  worst  ruflSans,  those  of  tyrant  power. 

Oppression  walked  at  large,  and  poured  abroad 

Her  unrelenting  train  :  informers,  spies, 

Bloodhounds  that  sturdy  Freedom  to  the  grav« 

Pursue  ;  projectors  of  aggrieving  schemes. 

Commerce  to  load  for  unprotected  seas,  * 

To  sell  the  starving  many  to  the  few,  f 

And  drain  a  thousand  ways  the  exhausted  land. 

E'en  from  that  place,  whence    healing    Peace   shouUI 

flow, 
And  Gospel  truth,  inhuman  bigots  shed 
Their  poison  \  round  ;  and  on  the  venal  bench, 
Instead  of  justice,  party  held  the  scale. 
And  violence  the  sword.     Afflicted  years. 
Too  patient,  felt  at  last  their  vengeance  full, 
'*  'Mid  the  low  murmurs  of  submissive  fear, 
And  mingled  rage,  my  Hampden  raised  his  voice, 
And  to  the  laws  appealed  ;  the  laws  no  more 
In  judgment  sat,  behooved  some  other  ear. 
When  instant  from  the  keen  resentive  North, 
By  long  oppression,  by  religion  roused. 
The  guardian  army  came.     Beneath  its  wing 
Was  called,  though  meant  to  furnish  hostile  aid. 
The  more  than  Roman  senate.     Tliere  a  flame 
Broke  out,  that  cleared,  consumed,  renewed  the  land. 
In  deep  emotion  hurled,  nor  Greece,  nor  Rome, 
Indignant  bursting  from  a  tyrant's  chain. 
While,  full  of  me,  each  agitated  soul 
Strung  every  nerve  and  flamed  in  every  eye, 

*  Sliip-money. 

\  Monopolies. 

X  The  raging  hi^h-cliurch  sermons  of  these  times,  inspiring  a 
spirit  of  slavisii  submission  to  llic  coiiil.  iind  of  l>itler  persccu- 
lion  ajfainat  those  whom  they  cull  Church  aud  State    Purilao*. 


m  LIBERTY. 

Had  eVr  beheld  such  light  and  heat  combined  r 
Such  heads  and  hearts  !  such  dreadful  zeal,  led  on 
By  calm  majestic  wisdom,  taught  its  course 
What  nuisance  to  devour  ;  such  wisdom  fired 
With  unabating  zeal,  and  aimed  sincere 
To  clear  the  weedy  state,  restore  the  laws, 
And  for  the  future  to  secure  their  sway. 

"  This  then  the  purpose  of  my  mildest  sons. 
But  man  is  blind.     A  nation  once  inflamed 
(Chief,  should  the  breath  of  factious  fury  blow, 
With  the  wild  rage  of  mad  enthusiast  swelled) 
Mot  easy  cools  again.     From  breast  to  breast, 
From  eye  to  eye,  the  kindling  passions  mix 
In  heightened  blaze  ;  and,  ever  wise  and  just. 
High  Heaven  to  gracious  ends  directs  the  storm. 
Thus  in  one  conflagration  Britain  wrapt, 
And  by  Conf  uson's  lawless  sons  despoiled, 
King,  Lords,  and  Commons,  thundering  to  the  ground. 
Successive,  rushed  —  Lo  !  from  their  ashes  rose, 
Gay  beaming  radiant  youth,  the  Phoenix  State.  * 

"  The  grievous  yoke,  of  vassalage,  the  yoke 
Of  private  life,  lay  by  those  flames  dissolved  ; 
And,  from  the  wasteful,  the  luxurious  king, 
Was  purchased  f  that  which  taught  the  young  to  bend. 
Stronger  restored,  the  Commons  taxed  the  whole. 
And  built  on  that  eternal  rock  their  power. 
The  Crown,  of  its  hereditary  wealth 
Despoiled,  on  senates  more  dependent  grew, 
And  they  more  frequent,  more  assured.     Yet  lived, 
And  in  full  vigor  spread  that  bitter  root, 
The  passive  doctrines,  by  their  patrons  first 
Opposed  ferocious  wlien  they  touch  themselves. 

"  This  wild  delusive  cant  ;  the  rash  cabal 
Of  hungry  courtiers,  ravenous  for  ))rey  ; 
The  bigot,  restless  in  a  double  chain 
To  bind  anew  the  land  ;  the  constant  need 
Of  finding  faithless  means,  of  shifting  forms. 
And  flattering  senates,  to  supply  liis  waste  ; 

*  At  the  Kestoration. 
f  Court  of  Wards. 


LIBERTY.  »1 

These  tore  some  moments  from  the  careless  prince, 

And  in  his  breast  awaked  the  kindred  plan. 

By  dangerous  softness  long  he  mined  his  way  ; 

By  subtle  arts,  dissimulation  deep  ; 

By  sharing  what  corruption  showered,  profuse  ; 

By  breathing  wide  the  gay  licentious  plague, 

And  pleasing  manners,  fitted  to  deceive. 

"  At  last  subsided  the  delirious  joy. 
On  whose  high  billow,  from  the  saintly  reign, 
The  nation  drove  too  far.     A  pensioned  king. 
Against  his  country  bribed  by  Gallic  gold  ; 
The  port  *  pernicious  sold,  the  Scylla  since 
And  fell  Charybdis  of  the  British  seas  ; 
Freedom  attacked  abroad,  f  with  surer  blow 
To  cut  it  off  at  home  ;  the  savior  league  J 
Of  Europe  broke  ;  the  progress  e'en  advanced 
Of  universal  sway,  which  to  reduce 
Such  seas  of  blood  and  treasure  Britain  cost ; 
The  millions,  by  a  generous  people  given, 
Or  squandered  vile,  or  to  corru))!,  disgrace. 
And  awe  the  land  with  forces  §  not  their  own 
Employed  ;  the  darling  church  herself  betrayed  ; 
All  these,  broad  glaring,  oped  the  general  eye, 
And  waked  my  spirit,  the  resisting  soul. 

"  Mild  was,  at  first,  and  half  ashamed,  the  cheek 
Of  senates,  shook  from  the  fantastic  dream 
Of  absolute  submission,  tenets  vile  ! 
Which  slaves  would  blush  to  own,  and  which  reduced 
To  practice,  always  honest  nature  shock. 
Not  e'en  the  mask  removed,  ami  the  fierce  front 
Of  tyranny  disclosed  ;  nor  trampled  laws  ; 
Nor  seized  each  badge  of  freedom  ||  tlirc)iigli  the  land  ; 
Nor  Sidney  bleeding  for  the  unpublished  page  ; 
Nor  on  the  bench  avowed  corruption  placed, 


*  Dunkirk. 

f  The  war  in  conjunction  witli  France,  a<i;ainst  the  Dutch. 

X  The  Triple  Ailiaricf. 

§  A  standing  army,  raised  witiiout  llie  consent  of  ParHamenl 

I  The  charters  of  corporations. 


an  LIBERTY. 

And  murderous  rage  itself,  in  Jefferies'  form ; 

Nor  endless  acts  of  arbitrary  power, 

Cruel,  and  false,  could  raise  the  public  arm. 

Distrustful,  scattered,  of  combining  chiefs 

Devoid,  and  dreading  blind  rapacious  war, 

The  patient  public  turns  not,  till  impelled 

To  the  near  verge  of  ruin.     Hence  I  roused 

The  bigot  king,  and  hurried  fated  on 

His  measures  immature.     But  chief  his  zeal, 

Out-flaming  Rome  herself,  portentous  scared 

The  troubled  nation  :  Mary's  horrid  days 

To  fancy  bleeding  rose,  and  the  dire  glade 

Of  Smithfield  lightened  in  its  eyes  anew. 

Yet  silence  reigned.     Each  on  another  scowled 

Rueful  amazement,  pressing  down  bis  rage  : 

As,  mustering  vengeance,  the  deep  thunder  frowns. 

Awfully  still,  waiting  the  high  command 

To  spring.     Straight  from  his  country  Europe  saved, 

To  save  Britannia,  lo  !  my  darling  son, 

Than  hero  more  !  the  patriot  of  mankind  1 

Immortal  Nassau  came.     I  hushed  the  deep 

By  demons  roused,  and  bade  the  listed  winds,  * 

Still  shifting  as  behooved,  with  various  breath. 

Waft  the  deliverer  to  the  longing  shore. 

See  !  wide  alive,  the  foaming  channel  f  bright 

With  swelling  sails,  and  all  the  pride  of  war, 

Delightful  view  !  when  justice  draws  the  sword  ; 

And  mark  !  diffusing  ardent  soul  around, 

*  The  Prince  of  Orange,  in  liis  passage  to  England,  though 
his  fleet  had  been  at  first  dispersed  by  a  storm,  was  afterwards 
extremely  favored  by  several  clianges  of  wind. 

f  Rapin,  in  his  History  of  England- —  The  third  of  November 
the  fleet  entered  tlie  Channel,  and  laj' by  between  Calais  and 
Dover,  to  stay  for  the  ships  that  were  behind.  Here  the 
Prince  called  a  council  of  war.  It  is  easy  to  imagine  what  a 
glorious  show  the  fleet  made.  Five  oi-  six  hundred  ships  in  so 
narrow  a  channel,  and  both  the  English  and  French  shores 
covered  witli  numberless  spectators,  are  no  common  sight. 
For  my  part,  who  was  then  on  board  the  fleet,  I  own  it  struck 
me  extremely. 


IJBRRTY.  *• 

And  sweet  contempt  of  death,  my  streaming  flag.* 
E'en  adverse  natives  f  blessed  the  binding  gale, 
Kept  down  the  glad  acclaim,  and  silent  joyed. 
Arrived,  the  pomp,  and  not  the  waste,  of  arms 
His  progress  marked.     The  faint  opposing  host 
For  once,  in  yielding  their  best  victory  found, 
And  by  desertion  proved  exalted  faith  ; 
While  his  the  bloodless  conquest  of  the  heart, 
Shouts  without  groan,  and  triumph  without  war. 
"  Then  dawned  the  period  destined  to  confine 
The  surge  of  wild  prerogative,  to  raise 
A  mound  restraining  its  imperious  rage, 
And  bid  the  raging  deep  no  further  flow. 
Nor  where,  without  that  fence,  the  swallowed  stat« 
Better  than  Belgian  plains  without  their  dykes, 
Sustaining  weighty  seas.     This,  often  saved 
By  more  than  human  hand,  the  public  saw. 
And  seized  the  white-winged  moment.     Pleased  J  to 

yield 
Destructive  power,  a  wise  heroic  prince 
E'en  lent  his  aid  —  Thrice  happy  !  did  they  know 
Their  happiness,  Britannia's  bounded  kings. 
What  though  not  theirs  the  boast,  in  dungeon  glooma. 
To  plunge  bold  freedom  ;  or,  to  cheerless  wilds, 
To  drive  him  from  the  cordial  face  of  friend  ; 
Or  fierce  to  strike  him  at  the  midnight  hour. 
By  mandate  blind,  not  justice,  that  delights 
To  dare  the  keenest  eye  of  open  day. 
What  tliough  no  glory  to  control  the  laws. 
And  make  injurious  will  their  only  rule. 
They  deem  It.    What  uiougli,  tools  of  wanton  powor. 
Pestiferous  armies  swarm  not  at  tlieir  call. 
What  though  they  give  not  a  relentless  crew 

*  The  Prince  placed  himself  in  \\w,  nmin  body,  carrying  • 
flii/^  with  ICn^'lisli  colors,  find  ihoir  hi^'-hiicsseH'  arms  surround- 
t:ii  wiiii  this  niottf),  "  Tlie  Prole.stuiit  Religion  mid  the  Libertiea 
(jf  Knii;l!ind  :"  and  underneath  the  rnolto  of  the  house  of  Na»- 
Hau,  "  .Je  maiiitiendrai." 

f  The  English  fleet. 

\  By  the  Bill  of  K'ghtJS  and  the  Act  of  Succeasiou. 


114  UBERTlf 

Of  civil  furies,  proud  oppression's  fangs  I 

To  tear  at  pleasure  the  dejected  land, 

With  starving  labor  pampering  idle  waste. 

To  clothe  the  naked,  feed  the  hungry,  wipe 

The  guiltless  tear  from  lone  affliction's  eye  ; 

To  raise  his  merit,  set  the  alluring  light 

Of  virtue  high  to  view  ;  to  nourish  arts. 

Direct  the  thunder  of  an  injured  state, 

Make  a  glorious  people  sing  for  joy, 

Bless  human-kind,  and  through  the  downward  deptb 

Of  future  times  to  spread  that  better  sun 

Which  lights  up  British  soul  :  for  deeds  like  these, 

The  dazzling  fair  career  unbounded  lies  ; 

While  (still  superior  bliss  ?  )  the  dark  abrupt 

Is  kindly  barred,  the  precipice  of  ill. 

O  luxury  divine  !  O  poor  to  this 

Ye  giddy  glories  of  despotic  thrones  ! 

By  this,  by  this  indeed,  is  imaged  Heaven, 

By  boundless  good,  without  the  power  of  ill. 

"  And  now  behold  !  exalted  as  the  cope 
That  swells  immense  o'er  many-peopled  earth, 
And  like  it  free,  my  fabric  stands  complete. 
The  palace  of  the  laws.     To  the  four  heavens 
Four  gates  impartial  thrown,  unceasing  crowds, 
With  kings  themselves  the  hearty  peasant  mixed. 
Pour  urgent  in.     And  though  to  different  ranks 
Responsive  place  belongs,  yet  equal  spreads 
The  sheltering  roof  o'er  all  ;  while  plenty  flows, 
And  glad  contentment  echoes  round  the  whole. 
Ye  floods  descend  !     Ye  winds,  confirming,  blow  t 
Nor  outward  tempest,  nor  corrosive  time, 
Naught  but  the  felon  undermining  hand 
Of  dark  Corruption,  can  its  train  dissolve, 
Apd  lay  the  toil  of  ages  in  the  dust." 


LIBERTY,  ass 

PART  V. 

THE  PROSPECT. 

OoHTENTS. — The  author  addresses  the  Ooddoss  of  Lil)erty, 
marking  the  happiness  and  grandeur  of  Great  Britain,  as 
arising  from  her  infiueuoe — Six;  re.sinncs  ln-r  dis' ourse,  and 
points  out  the  chief  Virtues  whicli  are  necessary  to  maintain 
her  establisliment  there — Recommends,  as  its  last  ornament 
and  finishing,  Sciences,  Fine  Arts,  and  Pul)lic  Works — Tiie 
encouragement  of  these  urged  from  the  example  of  France, 
though  under  a  despotic  government — The  whole  concludes 
with  a  prospect  of  future  times,  given  \iy  the  Gi>ddess  of 
Liberty  :  thus  described  by  the  author,  as  it  passes  in  vision 
before  him. 

Herk  interposing,  as  the  Goddess  paused  :  — 

"O  blessed  Britannia  !  in  thy  presence  blessed, 
Thou  guardian  of  mankind  !     whence  spring,  alone, 
All  human  grandeur,  happiness,  and  fame  ; 
For  toil,  by  thee  protected,  feels  no  pain  ; 
The  poor  man's  lot  with  milk  and  honey  flows  ; 
And,  gilded  with  thy  rays,  even  death  looks  gay. 
Let  other  lands  the  potent  blessings  boast 
Of  more  exalting  suns.     Let  Asia's  woods, 
Untended,  yield  the  vegetable  fleece  ; 
And  lei  the  little  insect-artist  form. 
On  higher  life  intent,  its  silken  to:r.b. 
Let  wondering  rocks,  in  radiant  biril;,  disclose 
The  various  tinctured  children  of  the  sun. 
From  the  prone  beam  let  more  delicious  fruits, 
A  flavor  drink,  that  in  one  jticrcing  taste 
Bids  each  combine.     Let  Gallic,  vineyards  V)ur8t 
With  floods  of  joy  ;  with  mild  balsamic,  juice 
The  Tuscan  olive.     Let  Arabian  breathe 
Her  spicy  gales,  her  vital  gums  distill. 
Turbid  witli  gold,  let  soutlicrn  rivers  flow  ; 
And  orient  floods  draw  soft,  o'er  ])earls,  their  maze. 
Let  Afric  vaunt  her  treasures  ;  let   Peru 
Deep  in  her  bowels  her  own  ruin  brciid, 
The  yellow  traitor  that  her  bliss  betrayed, — 
Un'-finaled  bliss and  to  unecjualed  rage 


M  LIBERTY. 

Yet  not  the  gorgeous  East,  nor  golden  South, 

Nor,  in  full  prime,  that  new  discovered  world, 

Where  flames  the  falling  day,  in  wealth  and  praise, 

Shall  with  Britannia  vie  ;    while,  Goddess,  she 

Derives  her  praise  from  thee,  her  matchless  charms. 

Her  hearty  fruits  the  hand  of  freedom  own  ; 

And  warm  with  culture,  her  thick  clustering  fields 

Prolific  teem.     Eternal  verdure  crowns 

Her  meads  ;  her  gardens  smile  eternal  spring. 

She  gives  the  hunter-horse,  unquelled  by  toil, 

Ardent  to  rush  into  the  rapid  chase  ; 

She,  whitening  o'er  her  downs,  diffusive,  pours 

Unnumbered  flocks  :  she  weaves  the  fleecy  robe, 

That  wraps  the  nations  :  she,  to  lusty  droves, 

The  richest  pasture  spreads  ;  and,  hers,  deep-wave 

Autumnal  seas  of  pleasing  plenty  round. 

These  her  delights  ;  and  by  no  baneful  herb. 

No  darting  tiger,  no  grim  lion's  glare, 

No  fierce-descending  wolf,  no  serpent  rolled 

In  spires  immense  progressive  o'er  the  land. 

Disturbed.     Enlivening  these,  add  cities,  full 

Of  wealth,  of  trade,  of  cheerful  toiling  crowds  ; 

Add  thriving  towns  ;  add  villages  and  farms, 

Innumerous  sowed  along  the  lively  vale. 

Where  bold  unrivaled  peasants  happy  dwell ; 

Add  ancient  seats,  with  venerable  oaks 

Embosomed  high,  while  kindred  floods  below 

Wind  through  the  mead  ;  and  those  of  modern  hand, 

More  pompous,  add,  that  splendid  shine  afar. 

Need  I  her  limpid  lakes,  her  rivers  name. 

Where    swarm  the    finny    race?       Thee,    chief,    0 

Thames  ! 
On  whose  each  tide,  glad  with  returning  sails, 
Flows  in  the  mingled  harvest  of  mankind  ? 
And  tlioe,  thou  Severn,  whose  prodigious  swell. 
And  waves  resounding,  imitate  the  main? 
Why  need  I  name  her  dec}»  capacious  ports, 
That  point  around  the  world  ?  and  why  her  seas? 
All  ocean  is  her  own,  and  every  land 
To  whom  her  ruling  thunder  ocean  bears. 


UBERTY.  W 

She  too  the  mineral  feeds  :  the  obedient  lead, 

The  war-like  iron,  nor  the  peaceful  less, 

Forming  of  life  art-civilized  the  bond  ; 

And  that  *  the  Tyrian  merchant  sought  of  old. 

Not  dreaming  then  of  Britain's  brighter  fame. 

She  rears  to  freedom  an  undaunted  race  : 

Compatriot  zealous,  hospitable,  kind, 

Hers  the  warm  Cambrian  ;  hers  the  lofty  Scot, 

To  hardship  tamed,  active  in  arts  and  arms, 

Fired  with  a  restless,  an  impatient  flame. 

That  leads  him  raptured  where  ambition  calls  ; 

And  English  merit  hers,  where  meet,  combined, 

Whate'er  high  fancy,  sound  judicious  thought, 

An  ample  generous  heart,  undrooping  soul, 

And  firm  tenacious  valor  can  bestow. 

Great  nurse  of  fruits,  of  flocks,  of  commerce,  she  I 

Great  nurse  of  men  !  by  thee,  O  Goddess,  taught, 

Her  old  renown  I  trace,  disclose  her  source 

Of  wealth,  of  grandeur,  and  to  Britons  sing 

A  strain  the  Muses  never  touclied  before. 

"  But  how  shall  this  thy  mighty  kingdom  stand  ? 
On  what  unyielding  base?  how  finished  shine?" 

At  this  her  eye,  collecting  all  its  fire, 
Beamed  more  than  human  ;  and  her  awful  voice, 
Majestic  thus  she  raised.     "  To  Britons  bear 
This  closing  strain,  and  with  intenser  note 
Loud  let  it  sound  in  their  awakened  ear  : 

"  On  virtue  can  alone  my  kingdom  stand, 
On  public  virtue,  every  virtue  joined. 
For,  lost  this  social  cement  of  mankind, 
The  greatest  empires,  by  scarce-felt  degrees. 
Will  molder  soft  away  ;  till,  tottering  loose, 
They,  prone  at  last,  to  total  ruin  rush. 
Unblessed  by  virtue,  government  a  league 
Buctomes,  a  circling  junto  of  the  great. 
To  rob  by  law  ;  rc^gion  mild,  a  yoke 
To  tame  the  stooping  soul,  a  ti'ick  of  state 
To  mask  their  rapine,  and  to  share  the  prey. 
What  are,  without  it,  senates  ;  save  a  face 
'  — —  '^Tm. 


Itt  UBMMTY. 

Of  consaltation  deep  and  reason  free, 

While  the  determined  voice  and  heart  are  sold  ? 

What  boasted  freedom,  save  a  sounding  name  ? 

And  what  election,  but  a  market  vile 

Of  slaves  self-bartered  ?     Virtue  I  without  thee. 

There  is  no  ruling  eye,  no  nerve,  in  states  ; 

War  has  no  vigor,  and  no  safety  peace  ; 

E'en  justice  warps  to  party,  laws  oppr-ess, 

Wide  through  the  land  their  weak  protection  fails, 

First  broke  the  balance,  and  then  scorned  the  sword. 

Thus  nations  sink,  society  dissolves  ; 

Rapine  and  guile  and  violence  break  loose, 

Everting  life,  and  turning  love  to  gall  ; 

Man  hates  the  face  of  man,  and  Indian  woods 

And  Libya's  hissing  sands  to  him  are  tame. 

"  By  those  three  virtues  be  the  frame  sustained 
Of  British  freedom  :  independent  life  ; 
Integrity  in  office  ;  and  o'er  all 
Surpreme,  a  passion  for  the  commonweal. 

"Hail!    Independence,  hail!  Heaven's    next  best 
gift,  . 
To  that  of  life  and  an  immortal  soul ! 
The  life  of  life  !  that  to  the  banquet  high 
And  sober  meal  gives  taste  ;  to  the  bowed  roof 
Fair-dreamed  repose,  and  to  the  cottage  charms. 
Of  public  freedom,  hail,  thou  secret  source  ! 
Whose  streams,  from  every  quarter  confluent,  form 
My  better  Nile,  that  nurses  human  life. 
By  rills  from  thee  deduced,  irriguous,  fed, 
The  private  fields  look  gay,  with  nature's  wealth 
Abundant  flows,  and  blooms  with  each  delight 
That  nature  craves.     Its  happy  master  there, 
The  only  freeman,  walks  his  pleasing  round  : 
Sweet-featured  peace  attending  ;  fearless  truth  ; 
Firm  resolution  ;  goodness,  blessiiig  all 
That  can  rejoice  ;  contentment,  surest  friend  ; 
And,  still  fresh  stores  from  nature's  book  derived, 
Philosophy,  companion  ever  new. 
These  cheer  his  rural,  and  sustain  or  fire, 
When  into  action  called,  his  busy  hours. 


LIBERTY.  839 

Meantime  true-judging  moderate  desires. 
Economy  and  taste,  combined,  direct 
His  clear  affairs,  and  from  debauching  fiends 
Secure  his  little  kingdom.     Nor  can  those 
Whom  fortune  heaps,  without  these  virtues  reac& 
That  truce  with  pain,  that  animated  ease, 
That  self  enjoyment  springing  from  within, 
That  independence,  active  or  retired. 
Which  make  the  soundest  bliss  of  man  below  : 
But  lost  beneath  the  rubbish  of  their  means, 
And  drained  by  wants  to  nature  all  unknown, 
A  wandering,  tasteless,  gayly  wretched  train, 
Though  rich,  are  beggars,  and  tliough  noble,  slaves. 
**  Lo  !  damned  to  wealth,  at  what  a  gross  expense 
They  purchase  disappointment,  pain,  and  shame. 
Instead  of  hearty  hospitable  cheer, 
See  !  how  the  hell  with  brutal  riot  flows  ; 
While  in  the  foaming  flood  fermenting,  steeped, 
The  country  maddens  into  party  rage. 
Mark  I  those  disgraceful  piles  of  wood  and  stone  ; 
Those  parks  and  gardens,where,  his  haunts  betrimmed, 
And  nature  by  presumptuous  art  oppressed, 
The  woodland  genius  mourns.     See  1    the  full  boarcl 
That  steams  disgust,  and  bowels  that  give  no  joy  ; 
No  truth  invited  there,  to  feed  the  mind  ; 
Nor  wit,  the  wine  rejoicing  reason  quaffs. 
Hark  !  how  the  dome  with  insolence  resounds. 
With  those  retained  by  vanity  to  scare 
Repose  and  friends.     To  tyrant  fashion,  mark  I 
The  costly  worship  paid  ;  to  the  broad  gaze 
Of  fools.     From  still-delusive  day  to  day, 
Led  an  eternal  round  of  lying  liope, 
See  !  self-abandoned,  how  the  roam  adrift. 
Dashed  o'er  the  town,  a  miserable  wreck  ! 
Then  to  adore  some  warbling  eunuch  turned. 
With  Midas'  ears  they  crowd  ;  or  to  the  buza 
Of  masquerade  unblushing  ;  or,  to  show 
Their  scorn  of  nature,  at  the  tragic  scene 
They  mirthful  sit,  or  prove  the  comic  true. 
But,  chief,  behold  !  around  the  rattling  boaro. 


940  LIBBRTY. 

The  civil  robbers  ranged  ;  and  e'en  the  fair. 

The  tender  fair,  each  sweetness  laid  aside, 

As  fierce  tor  plunder  as  ill-licensed  troops 

In  srtne  sacked  city.     Thus  dissolved  their  wealth, 

Without  one  generous  luxury  dissolved, 

Or  quartered  on  it  many  a  needless  want, 

At  the  thronged  levee  bends  the  venal  tribe  : 

With  fair  but  faithless  smiles  each  varnished  o'er, 

Each  smooth  as  those  that  mutually  deceive, 

And  for  their  falsehood  each  despising  each  ; 

Till  shook  their  patron  by  the  wintry  winds, 

Wide  flies  the  withered  shower,  and  leaves  him  bare 

O  far  superior  Af ric's  sable  sons, 

By  merchant  pilfered,  to  these  willing  slaves  ! 

And  rich,  as  unsqueezed  favorite,  to  them, 

Is  he  who  can  his  virtue  boast  alone  ! 

"  Britons  !  be  firm  !  —  nor  let  corruption  sly 
Twine  round  your  heart  indissoluble  chains  ! 
The  steel  of  Brutus  burst  the  grosser  bonds 
By  Csesar  cast  o'er  Rome  ;  but  still  remained 
The  soft  enchanting  fetters  of  the  mind. 
And  other  Caesars  rose.     Determined,  hold 
Your  independence  ;  for,  that  once  destroyed. 
Unfounded,  Freedom  is  a  morning  dream. 
That  flits  aerial  from  the  spreading  eye. 

"  Forbid  it.  Heaven  !  that  ever  I  need  urge 
Integrity  in  oflice  on  my  sons  ! 

Inculcate  common  honor not  to  rob 

And  whom  ?  —  the  gracious,  the  confiding  hand. 
That  lavishly  rewards  ?  the  toiling  poor, 
Whose  cup  with  many  a  bitter  drop  is  mixed  ; 
The  guardian  public  ;  every  face  they  see, 
And  every  friend  ;  nay,  in  effect  themselves. 
As  in  familiar  life,  the  villain's  fate 
Admits  no  cure  ;  so,  when  a  desperate  age 
At  this  arrives,  I  the  devoted  race 
Indignant  spurn,  and  hopeless  soar  away. 

"  But,  ah  too  little  known  to  modern  tim««  I 
Be  not  the  noblest  passion  past  unsung  ; 
That  ray  peculiar,  from  unbounded  love 


UBERtr.  M 

Effused,  which  kindles  the  heroic  soul ; 
Devotion  to  the  public.     Glorious  flame  ! 
Celestial  ardor  !  in  what  unknown  worlds, 
Profusely  scattered  through  the  blue  immense, 
Hast  thou  been  blessing  myi'iads,  since  in  Rome, 
Old  virtuous  Rome,  so  many  deathless  names 
From  thee  their  luster  drew  ?  since,  taught  by  thee, 
Their  poverty  put  splendor  to  the  blush, 
Pain  grew  luxurious,  and  e'en  death  delight  ? 
O  wilt  thou  ne'er,  in  thy  long  period,  look. 
With  blaze  direct,  on  this  my  last  retreat  ? 

"  'Tis  not  enough,  from  self,  right  understood. 
Reflected,  that  thy  rays  inflame  the  heart  : 
Though  virtue  not  disdains  appeals  to  self. 
Dreads  not  the  trial ;  all  her  joys  are  true, 
Nor  is  there  any  real  joy  save  hers. 
Far  less  the  tepid,  the  declaiming  race, 
Foes  to  corruption,  to  its  wages  friends, 
Or  those  whom  private  passions,  for  a  while, 
Beneath  my  standard  list  ;  can  they  sufiice 
To  raise  and  fix  the  glory  of  my  reign  ? 

"  An  active  flood  of  universal  love 
Must  swell  the  breast.     First,  in  effusion  wide, 
The  restless  spirit  roves  creation  round. 
And  seizes  every  being  ;  stronger  then 
It  tends  to  life,  whate'er  the  kindred  search 
Of  bliss  allies  ;  then,  more  collected  still. 
It  urges  human  kind  ;  a  passion  grown, 
At  last,  the  central  parent  public  calls 
Its  utmost  effort  forth,  awakes  each  sense, 
The  comely,  grand,  and  tender.     Without  thii, 
This  awful  pant,  shook  from  sublimer  powers 
Than  those  of  self,  this  Heaven-infused  delight, 
This  moral  gravitation,  rusliing  prone 
'I'o  press  the  public  good,  my  system  soon. 
Traverse,  to  several  selfisli  centers  drawn. 
Will  reel  to  ruin  :   while  fori'ver  shut 
Stand  the  bright  portals  of  despond ing  fame, 

"  From  sordid  self  shoot  up  no  shining  deeds. 
None  of  those  ancient  lights  that  gladden  earth. 


Mt  LIBERTY. 

Give  grace  to  being,  and  arouse  the  brar* 
To  just  ambition,  virtue's  quickening  tire  ! 
Life  tedious  grows,  an  idly  bustling  round, 
Filled  up  with  actions  animal  and  mean, 
A  dull  gazette  !    The  impatient  reader  scorns 
The  poor  historic  page  ;  till  kindly  comes 
Oblivion,  and  redeems  a  people's  shame. 
Not  so  the  times  when,  emulation-stung, 
Greece  shone  in  genius,  science,  and  in  arts, 
And  Rome  in  virtues  dreadful  to  be  told  ! 
To  live  was  glory  then  !  and  charmed  mankind, 
Through  the  deep  periods  of  devolving  time, 
Those,  raptured,  copy  ;  these,  astonished,  read. 

"  True,  a  corrupted  state,  with  every  vice 
And  every  meanness  foul,  this  passion  damps. 
Who  can,  unshocked,  behold  the  cruel  eye  ? 
The  pale  inveigling  smile  V  the  ruffian  front  ? 
The  wretch  abandoned  to  relentless  self, 
Equally  vile  if  miser  or  profuse  ? 
Powers  not  of  God,  assiduous  to  corrupt? 
The  fell  deputed  tyrant,  who  devours 
The  poor  and  weak,*  at  distance  from  redress  ? 
Delirious  faction  bellowing  loud  my  name? 
The  false  fair-seeming  patriot's  hollow  boast  ? 
A  race  resolved  on  bondage,  tierce  for  chains, 
My  sacred  rights  a  merchandise  alone 
Esteeming,  and  to  work  their  feeder's  will 
By  deeds,  a  horror  to  mankind,  prepared, 
As  were  the  dregs  of  Romulus  of  old  ? 
Who  these  indeed  can  undetesting  see  ?  — 
But  who  unpitying  ?  to  the  generous  eye 
Distress  is  virtue  ;  and,  though  self-betrayed, 
A  poople  struggling  with  their  fate  must  rouse 
The  hero's  throb.     Nor  can  a  land  at  once. 
Be  lost  to  virtue  quite.     How  glorious  then  ! 

*  Lord  Moleswortli,  in  liis  account  of  Denmark,  says,  "  It 
is  observed,  th (it  in  limited  monarcliics  and  commonwealths, 
a  neighborliood  to  the  seat  of  the  government  is  advant«igeoua 
to  the  suhjects  ,  whilst  the  distant  provinces  are  less  thriving, 
»nd  more  liable  to  oppressioo. " 


UBERTY,  141 

Pit  luxury  for  ffods  !  to  save  the  good, 
Protect  the  feeble,  dash  bold  vice  aside, 
Depress  the  wicked,  and  restore  the  frail. 
Posterity,  besides  !  the  )oung  are  pure, 
And  sons  may  tinge  their  father's  cheek  with    shanit;. 
"  Should   then   the    time   arrive    (which    Heavou 
avert !) 
That  Britons  bend  unnerved,  not  by  the  force 
Of  arms,  more  generous  and  more  manly,  quelled. 
But  by  corruption's  soul-dejecting  arts. 
Arts  impudent  !  and  gross  !  by  their  own  gold, 
In  part  bestowed,  to  bribe  them  to  give  all. 
With  party  raging,  or  immersed  in  sloth, 
Should  they  Britannia's  well-fought  laurels  yield 
To  slyly  conquering  Gaul  ;  e'en  from  her  brow 
Let  her  own  naval  oak  be  basely  torn. 
But  such  as  tremble  at  the  stiffening  gale. 
And  nerveless  sink  while  others  sing  rejoiced ; 
Or  (darker  prospect  !  scarce  one  gleam  behind 
Disclosing)  should  the  broad  corruptive  plague 
Breath  from  the  city  to  the  furthest  hut. 
That  sits  serene  within  the  forest  shade  ; 
The  fevered  people  fire,  inflame  their  wants. 
And  their  luxurious  thirst,  so  gathering  rage. 
That,  were  a  buyer  found,  they  stand  prepared 
To  sell  their  birthright  for  a  cooling  draught ; 
Should  shameless  jx'iis  for  plain  corruption  plead, 
The  hired  assassins  of  the  commonweal ! 
Deemed  the  declaiining  rant  of  Greece  and  Rome, 
Should  public  virtue  grow  tin;  j)ublic  scoff, 
Till  private,   failing,  staggers   through  the  land  ; 
Till  rourxl  the  city  loose  mechanic  want. 
Dire  prowling  niglitly,  makes  the  cheerful  haunts 
Of  men  rru^re  hideous  than  Numidian  wilds, 
\or  from  its  fury   shieps  the  vale  in  peace, 
And  murders,  horrors,  perjuries  abound  ; 
Nay,  till  to  lowest  deeds  the  highest  stoop  ; 
The  rich,  like  starving  wretches,  tliirst  for  gold  ; 
And  those,  on   whom  the  vernal  showers  of  IleaveB 
AU-bounteous  fall,  and  that  prime  lot  bestow. 


•44  LIBERTY. 

A  power    to  live  to  nature  and  themselves, 
In  sick  attendance  were  their  anxious  days, 
With  fortune,  joyless,  and  with  honors,  mean. 
Meantime,  perhaps,  profusion  flows  around, 
The  waste  of  war,  without  tlie  works  of  peace  ; 
No  mark  of  millions  in  the  gulf  absorbed 
Of  uncreating  vice,  none  but  the  rage 
Of  roused  corruption  still  demanding  more. 
That  every  portion,  which  (by  faithful  skill 
Employed)  might  make  the  smiling  public  rear 
Her  ornamented  head,  drilled  through  the  hands 
Of  mercenary  tools,  serves  but  to  nurse 
A  locust  band  within,  and  in  the  bud 
Leaves  starved  each  work  of  dignity  and  use. 

"  I  paint  the  worst.     But  should  these  times  arrive, 
If  any  nobler  passion  yet  remain, 
Let  all  my  sons  all  parties  fling  aside. 
Despise  their  nonsense,  and  together  join  ; 
Let  worth  and  virtue,  scorning  low  despair, 
Exerted  full,  from  every  quarter  shine, 
Commixed    in   heightened   blaze.     Light    flashed  to 

light. 
Moral,  or  intellectual,  more  intense 
By  giving  glows.     As  on  pure  winter's  eve, 
Gradual,  the  stars  eifulge  ;  fainter  at  first. 
They,  straggling,  rise  ;  but  when  the  radiant  host. 
In  thick  profusion  poured,  shine  out  immense, 
Each  casting  vivid  influence  on  each. 
From  pole  to  pole  a  glittering  deluge  plays, 
And  worlds  above  rejoice,  and  men  below. 

"  But  why  do  Britons  this  superfluous  strain  ?  •—. 
Good-nature,  honest  truth  e'en  somewhat  blunt, 
Of  crooked  baseness  an  indignant  scorn, 
A  zeal  unyielding  in  their  country's  cause. 
And  ready  bounty,  wont  to  dwell  with  them  — 
Nor  only  wont  —  wide  o'er  the  land  diffused, 
In  many  a  blessed  retirement  still  they  dwelt 

"  To  softer  prospect  turn  wo  now  the  view, 
To  laureled  science,  arts  and  public  works, 
That  lend  my  finished  fabric  comely  pride, 


LIBERTY,  Uft 

Orandeur  and  grace.     Of  sullen  genius  he  ! 

Cursed  by  the  Muses  .'  by  the  Graces  loathed  ! 

Who  deems  beneath  the  public's  high  regard 

These  last  enlivening  touches  of  my  reign. 

However  puffed  with  power,  and  gorged  with   wealtk 

A  nation  be  ;  let  trade  enormous  rise, 

Let  East  and  South  their  mingled  treasures  pour, 

Till,  swelled  impetuous,  the  corruptive  flood 

Hurst  o'er  the  city  and  devour  the  land  ; 

Yet  these  neglected,  these  recording  arts, 

Wealth  rots,  a  nuisance  ;  and,  oblivious  sunk, 

That  nation  must  another  Carthage  lie. 

If  not  by  them,  on  monumental  brass. 

On  sculptured  marble,  on  the  deathless  page, 

Impressed,  renown  had  left  no  trace  behind  ; 

In  vain,  to  future  times,  the  sage  had  thought. 

The  legislator  planned,  the  hero  found 

A  beauteous  death,  the  patriot  toiled  in  vain. 

The  awarders  they  of  Fame's  immortal  wreath. 

They  rouse  ambition,  they  the  mind  exalt. 

Give  great  ideas,  lovely  forms  infuse. 

Delight  the  general  eye,  and,  dressed  by  them, 

The  moral  Venus  glows  with  double  charms. 

"  Science,  my  close  associate,  still  attends 
Where'er  I  go.     Sometimes,  in  simple  guise, 
She  walks  the  furrow  with  the  council-swain, 
Whispering  unlettered  wisdom  to  the  heart, 
Direct ;  or,  sometimes,  in  the  pompous  robe 
Of  fancy  dressed,  she  charms  Athenian  wits, 
And  a  whole  sapient  city  round  her  burns. 
Then  o'er  her  brow  Minerva's  terrors  nod  ; 
Witli  Xeiiophon,  sometimes,  in  dire  extremes, 
She  breathes  dehberate  soul,  and  makes  retreat* 
Unequaled  glory  :  with  the  Tlicban  sage, 
Kpaininondas,  first  and  best  of  men  ! 
Sf)rnetime8  she  bids  the  deep-embattled  host, 
Above  the  vulgar  r(;ached,  resistless  formed. 


*Tl)e  famous  retreat  of  the  Ten  Thousand  was  cbielty  coo,- 
ductod  by  Xenophon. 


Mi  LIBERTY. 

March  to    sure  conquest  —  never    gained    before  !  • 

Nor  on  the  treacherous  seas  of  giddy  state 

Unskillful  she  :  when  the  triumphant  tide 

Of  high-swoln  empire  wears  one  boundless  smile, 

And  the  gale  tempts  to  new  pursuits  of  fame, 

Sometimes,  with  Scipio,  she  collects  her  sail, 

And  seeks  the  blissful  shore  of  rural  ease. 

Where,  but  the  Anonian  maids,  no  sirens  sing  ; 

Or  should  the  deep-brewed  tempest  muttering  rige. 

While  rocks  and  shoals  perfidious  lurk  around, 

With  Tully  she  her  wide-reviving  light 

To  senates  hold  ;  a  Catiline  confounds, 

And  saves  awhile  from  Caesar  sinking  Rome. 

Such  the  kind  power,  whose  piercing  eye  dissolves 

Each  mental  fetter,  and  sets  reason  free  ; 

For  me  inspiring  an  enlightened  zeal. 

The  more  tenacious  as  the  more  convinced 

How  happy  freemen,  and  how  wretched  slaves. 

To  Britons  not  unknown,  to  Britons  full 

The  Goddess  spreads  her  stores,  the  secret  soul 

That  quickens  trade,  the  breath  unseen  that  wafts 

To  them  the  treasures  of  a  balanced  world. 

But  finer  arts  (save  Avhat  the  Muse  has  i^ung, 

In  daring  flight,  above  all  modern  wing,) 

Neglected  droop  the  head  ;  and  public  works, 

Broke  by  corruption  into  private  gain, 

Nor  ornament,  disgrace  ;  not  serve,  destroy. 

"Shall  Britons,  by  their  own  joint  wisdom  ruled 
Beneath  one  Royal  Head,  whose  vital  power 
Connects,  enlivens,  and  exerts  the  M'hole  ; 
In  finer  arts,  and  public  works,  shall  they 
To  Gallia  yield  ?  yield  to  a  land  that  bends 
Depressed,  and  broke,  beneath  the  Avill  of  one? 
Of  one  who,  should  the  unkingly  thirst  of  gold, 

*  Epaminondas,  after  havinsf  heat  the  Lacedemonians  anc 
their  allies,  in  the  h;Utle  of  Leiictra,  ni;ule  an  incursion,  at  the 
head  of  a  powerful  army,  into  Luconia.  It  was  now  six  hun- 
dred years  since  the  Dorians  had  possessed  this  country,  and 
in  all  that  time  the  face  of  an  enemy  had  not  been  seen  witliin 
Uieir  territories. — Plcta'^ch  in  Anf.vUivH. 


USER  TV.  M 

Or  tyrant  passions,  or  ambition,  prompt, 

C.'iUs  locust-armies  o'er  tlie  blasted  land  ; 

Drains  from  its  thirsty  bounds  the  springs  of  WMltll 

His  own  insatiate  reservoir  to  fill  ; 

To  the  lone  desert  patriot-merit  frowns, 

Or  into  dungeon  arts,  when  they,  their  chains. 

Indignant,  bursting,  for  their  nobler  works 

All  other  license  scorn  but  Truth's  and  mine? 

O  shame  to  think  !  shall  Britons,  in  the  field 

Unconquered  still,  the  better  laurel  lose  ? 

E'en  in  that  monapch's  reign,*  who  vainly  dreamt, 

By  giddy  power,  betrayed,  and  flattered  pride, 

To  grasp  unbounded  sway  ;  while,  swarming  round, 

His  armies  dared  all  Europe  to  the  field  ; 

To  hostile  hands  while  treasures  flowed  profuse. 

And,  that  great  source  of  treasure,  subjects'  blood, 

Inhuman  squandered,  sickened  every  land  ; 

From  Britain,  chief,  while  my  superior  sons, 

In  vengeance  rushing,  dashed  his  idle  hopes, 

And  bade  his  agonizing  heart  be  low  : 

E'en  then,  as  in  the  golden  calm  of  peace. 

What  public  works,  at  home,  what  arts  arose  ! 

What  various  science  shone  !  what  genius  glowed  I 

"  'Tis  not  for  me  to  paint,  diffusive  shot 
O'er  fair  extents  of  land,  the  shining  road  ; 
The  flood-compelling  arch  ;  the  long  canal, f 
Through  mountains  piercing  and  uniting  seas  ; 
'i'lie  dome  \  resounding  sweet  with  infant  joy, 
From  famine  saved,  or  cruel-handed  shame  ; 
And  that  \  whore  valor  counts  his  noble  scans  ; 
Tlie  land  where  social  pleasure  loves  to  dwell. 
Of  the  fierce  Demon,  Gothic  duel,  freed  ; 
The  robber  from  his  furthest  forest  chased  ; 
The  turbid  city  cleared,  and,  by  degrees, 
Into  sure  peace,  the  best  police,  refined, 
Magnificence,  and  grace,  and  decent  joy. 


*  U-wis  XIV. 

f  The  Oiiuiil  of  Languedoc. 

%  Ths  hospitals  for  foundlings  and  iDvaUcU, 


Mi  LIBERTY. 

Let  Gallic  bards  record,  how  honored  arti, 

And  science,  by  despotic  bounty  blessed, 

At  distance  flourished  from  my  parent-eye  : 

Restoring  ancient  taste,  how  Boileau  rose  ; 

How  the  big  Roman  soul  shook,  in  Corneille, 

The  trembling  stage  ;  in  elegant  Racine, 

How  the  more  powerful,  though  more  humble  voio* 

Of  nature-painting  Greece,  resistless,  breathed 

The  whole  awakened  heart ;  how  Moliere's  scene, 

Chastised  and  regular,  with  well-judged  wit. 

Not  scattered  wild,  and  native  humor,  graced, 

Was  life  itself  ;  to  public  honors  raised, 

How  learning  in  warm  seminaries  *  spread  ; 

And,  more  for  glory  than  the  (^mall  reward, 

How  emulation  strove  ;  how  their  pure  tongue 

Almost  obtained  what  was  denied  their  arms ; 

From  Rome,  awhile,  how  Painting,  courted  long, 

With  Poussin  came  ;  ancient  design,  that  lifts 

A  fairer  front,  and  looks  another  soul  ; 

How  the  kind  art,f  that,  of  unvalued  price, 

The  famed  and  only  picture,  easy  gives, 

Refined  her  touch,  and,  through  the  shadowed  piece, 

All  the  live  spirit  of  the  painter  poured  ; 

Coyest  of  arts,  how  Sculpture  northward  deigned 

A  look,  and  bade  her  Girardon  arise  ; 

How  lavished  grandeur  blazed  ;  the  barren  waste, 

Astonished,  saw  the  sudden  palace  swell. 

And  fountains  spout  araad  its  arid  shades. 

For  leagues,  bright  vistas  opening  to  the  view. 

How  forest  in  majestic  gardens  smiled  ;  \ 

How  menial  arts,  by  their  gay  sisters  taught, 

Wove  the  deep  flower,  the  blooming  foliage  trained 

In  joyous  figures  o'er  the  silky  lawn, 

The  palace  cheered,  illumed  the  storied  wall. 

And  with  the  pencil  vied  the  glowing  loom.  § 

*  The  Academies  of  Sciences,  of  the  Bellea  Lettres,  and  of 
Painting, 
f  Engraving. 

%  The  Pahu  e  of  Versailles. 
§  The  tapestry  of  the  Gobeliaa. 


UBERTY.  249 

"  These  laurels,  Lewis,  by  the  droppings  raised 
Of  thy  profusion,  its  dishonor  shade, 
And,  green  through    future   times,  shall    bind    thy 

brow  ; 
While  the  vain  honors  of  perfidious  war 
Whither  abhorred,  or  in  oblivion  lost. 
With  what  prevailing  vigor  had  tiicy  shot, 
And  stole  a  deeper  root,  by  the  fuller  tide 
Of  war-sunk  millions  fed  ?     Superior  still, 
How  had  they  branched  luxuriant  to  the  skies, 
In  Britain  planted,  by  the  potent  juice 
Of  freedom  swelled  ?  Forced  is  the  bloom  of  arts, 
A  false  uncertain  spring,  when  Bounty  gives. 
Weak  without  me,  a  transitory  gleam. 
Fair  shine  the  slippery  days,  enticing  skies 
Of  favor  smile,  and  courtly  breezes  Ijlow  ; 
Till  arts,  betrayed,  trust  to  the  flattering  air 
Their  tender  blossom  ;  then  malignant  rise 
The  blights  of  envy,  of  those  insect  clouds, 
That,  blasting  merit,  often  cover  courts  ; 
Nay,  should,  perchance,  some  kind  Maecenas  aid 
The  doubtful  beamings  of  his  prince's  soul, 
His  wavering  ardor  fix,  and  unconfined 
Diffuse  his  warm  benificence  around  ; 
Yet  death,  at  last,  and  wintry  tyrants  come, 
Each  sprig  of  genius  killing  at  the  root. 
But  when  with  me  imperial  Bounty  joins. 
Wide  o'er  the  public  blows  eternal  snring  ; 
While  mingled  Autumn  every  harvest  pouri 
Of  every  land  ;  whate'er  Invention,  Art, 
Creating  Toil,  and  nature  can  produce." 

Here  ceased  the  (Goddess  ;  and  her  ardent  wings, 
Difit  in  the  colors  of  the  heavenly  bow, 
Stood  waving  radiance  round,  for  sudden  flight 
Prepared,  wlien  thus,  impatient,  burst  my  prayer: 
"  Oh  forming  light  of  life  !   Oh  better  sun  ! 
Sun  of  mankind  !  by  whom  the  cloud}'  north, 
Sublimed,  not  envies  L;inguedo(nan  skies, 
Tliat,  unstained  ether  all,  diffusive  smile  : 
When  shall  we  call  these  ancient  laurels  ours? 


MK)  UBERTY. 

And  when  thy  work  complete  ?  "     Straight  with  h« 

hand, 
Celestial  red,  she  touched  my  darkened  eyes. 
As  at  the  touch  of  day  the  shades  dissolve. 
So  quick,  methought,  the  misty  circle  cleared, 
That  dims  the  dawn  of  being  here  below  : 
The  future  shone  disclosed,  and,  in  long  view. 
Bright  rising  eras  instant  rushed  to  light, 

"They  come  !  Great  Goddess  !  I  tlie times behoH 
The  times  our  fathers,  in  the  bloody  field, 
Have  earned  so  dear,  and,  not  with  less  renown, 
In  the  warm  struggles  of  the  senate  fight. 
The  times  I  see  !  whose  glory  to  supply. 
For  toiling  ages.  Commerce  round  the  world 
Has  winged  unnumbered  sails,  and  from  each  land 
Materials  heaped,  that,  well  em})loyed  with  Rome 
Might  vie  our  grandeur,  and  with  Greece  our  art. 

"Lo!  Princes  I  behold  !  contriving  still, 
And  still  conducting  firm  some  brave  design  ; 
Kings  that  the  narrow  joyless  circle  scorn, 
Burst  the  blockade  of  false  designing  men 
Of  treacherous  smiles,  of  adulation  fell, 
And  of  the  blinding  clouds  around  them  thrown  : 
Their  court  rejoicing  millions  ;  AVorth,  alone. 
And  Virtiie  dear  to  them  ;  their  best  delight, 
In  just  proportion,  to  give  general  joy  ; 
Their  jealous  care  thy  kingdom  to  maintain  ; 
The  public  glory  theirs  ;  unsparing  love 
Their  endless  treasure  ;  and  their  deeds  their  praise. 
With  thee  they  work.     Naught  can  resist  your  force 
Life  feels  it  quickening  in  her  dark  retreats  ; 
Strong  spread  the  blooms  of  Genius,  Science,  Art ; 
His  bashful  bounds  disclosing  Merit  breaks  ; 
And,  big  with  fruits  of  glory,  Virtue  blows 
Expansive  o'er  the  land.     Another  race 
Of  generous  youth,  of  patriot  sires,  I  see  ! 
Not  those  vain  insects  fiuttcring  in  the  blaze 
Of  court,  and  })all,  and  play  ;  those  venal  souls, 
Corruption's  veteran  unrelenting  bands. 
That,  to  their  vices  slaves,  can  ne'er  be  free. 


LIBERTY.  an 

"  I  see  the  fountains  purged  !  whence  life  derives 
A  clear  or  turbid  flow  ;  see  the  young  mind 
Not  fed  impure  by  chance,  by  flattery  fooled. 
Or  by  scholastic  jargon  bloated  proud, 
Hut  filled  and  nourished  by  the  light  of  truth. 
Then,  beamed  through  fancy  the  refining  ray 
And  pouring  on  the  heart,  the  passions  feel 
At  once  informing  light  and  moving  flame  ; 
Till  moral,  public,  graceful  action  crowns 
The  whole.     Behold  !  the  fair  contention  glows, 
In  all  that  mind  or  body  can  adorn, 
And  form  to  life.     Instead  of  barren  heads, 
Barbarian  pedants,  wrangling  sons  of  pride, 
And  truth-perplexing  metaphysic  wits. 
Men,  patriots,  chiefs,  and  citizens  are  formed. 

"  Lo  !  Justice,  like  the  liberal  light  of  Heaven, 
Unpurchased  shines  on  all  ;  and  from  her  beam 
Appalling  guilt,  retire  the  savage  crew. 
That  prowl  amid  the  darkness  they  themselves 
Have  thrown  around  the  laws.     Oppression  grieves  ; 
See  !  how  her  legal  furies  bite  the  lip. 
While  Yorkes  and  Talbots  their  deep  snares  detect, 
And  seize  swift  justice  through  the  clouds  they  raise. 

"  See  !  social  Labor  lifts  his  guarded  head. 
And  men  not  yield  to  government  in  vain. 
From  the  sure  land  is  rooted  ruflian  force. 
And,  the  lewd  nurse  of  villains,  idle  waste  ; 
Lo  !  raised  their  haunts,  down  dashed  their  maddening 
bowl, 

A  nation's  poison  !  beauteous  order  reigns  ! 
tfanly  submission,  unimposing  toil, 
Trade  without  guile,  civility  that  marks 
^rom  the  foul  herd  of  brutal  slaves  thy  sons, 
And  fearless  peace.     Or  should  affronting  war 
To  slow  but  dreadful  vengeance  rouse  the  just. 
Unfailing  fields  of  freemen  I  behold  ! 
That  know,  with  their  own  j)roper  arm,  to  guard 
Their  (;wii  blessed  isle  iigainst  a  leaguing  world. 
I^cspairing  Gaul  her  boiling  youth  restrains, 
Dissolved  her  dream  of  universal  sway  ; 


M  LIBERTY. 

The  winds  and  seas  are  Britain's  wide  domain  ; 
And  not  a  sail,  but  by  permission,  spreads. 

"  Lo  !  swarming  southward,  on  rejoicing  suns, 
Gay  colonies  extend  ;  the  calm  retreat 
Of  undeserved  distress,  the  better  home 
Of  those  whom  bigots  chase  from  foreign  lands. 
Nor  built  on  rapine,  servitude,  and  woe. 
And  in  their  turn  some  petty  tyrant's  prey  ; 
But,  bound  by  social  Freedom,  firm  they  rise  ; 
Such  as,  of  late,  an  Oglethorpe  has  formed. 
And,  crowding  round,  the  charmed  Savannah  sees. 

"  Horrid  with  want  and  misery,  no  more 
Our  streets  the  tender  passenger  afflict. 
Nor  shivering  age,  nor  sickness  without  friend, 
Or  home,  or  bed  to  bear  his  burning  load  ; 
Nor  agonizing  infant,  that  ne'er  earned 
Its  guiltless  pangs  ;  I  see  !  the  stores,  profuse, 
Which  British  bounty  has  to  thee  assigned, 
No  more  the  sacrilegious  riot  swell 
Of  cannibal  devourers  !  right  applied, 
No  starving  wretch  the  land  of  freedom  stains  : 
If  poor,  employment  finds  ;  if  old,  demands, 
If  sick,  if  maimed,  his  miserable  due  ; 
And  will,  if  young,  repay  the  fondest  care. 
Sweet  sets  the  sun  of  stormy  life  ;  and  sweet 
The  morning  shines,  in  Mercy's  dews  arrayed. 
Lo  !  how  they  rise  !  these  families  of  Heaven  ! 
That !  chief,*  (but  why  —  ye  bigots  !  —  why  so  late  ?) 
Where  blooms  and  warbles  glad  a  rising  age  ; 
What  smiles  of  praise  !    and,  while  their  song  as- 
cends. 
The  listening  seraph  lays  his  lute  aside. 

"  Hark,  the  gay  muses  raise  a  nobler  strain, 
With  active  nature,  warm  impassioned  truth. 
Engaging  fable,  lucid  order,  notes 
Of  various  string,  and  heart-felt  image  filled. 
Behold  !  I  see  the  dread  delightful  school 
Of  tempered  passions,  and  of  polished  life, 
Restored  :  beliold  !  tlie  well  dissembled  scene 


*  TLe  Foundliug  HospilaL 


LIBERTY.  «« 

Calls  from  embellished  eyes  the  lovely  tear, 
Or  lights  up  mirth  in  modest  cheeks  again. 
Lo  !  vanished  monster-land.     Lo  !  driven  away 
Tliose  that  Apollo's  sacred  walks  profane  ; 
Their  wild  creation  scattered,  where  a  world 
Unknown  to  nature,  Chaos  more  confused. 
O'er  the  brute  scene  its  Oi'ang-Outangs  pours  ; 
Detested  forms  !  that,  on  the  mind  impressed, 
Corrupt,  confound,  and  barbarize  an  age. 

"  Behold  !  all  thine  again  the  Sister-Arts, 
Thy  graces  they,  knit  in  harmonious  dance. 
Nursed  by  the  treasure  from  a  nation  drained 
Their  works  to  purchase,  they  to  nobler  rouse 
Their  untamed  genius,  their  unfettered  thought  ; 
Of  pompous  tyrants,  and  of  dreaming  monks, 
The  gaudy  tools,  and  prisoners,  no  more, 

"  Lo  !  numerous  domes  a  Burlington  confess  ; 
For  kings  and  senates  fit,  the  palace  see  ! 
The  temple  breathing  a  religious  awe  ; 
E'en  framed  with  elegance  tlie  plain  retreat, 
The  private  dwelling.     Certain  in  his  aim, 
Taste,  never  idly  working,  saves  expense. 

"See  ;  sylvian  scenes,  where  Art  alone  pretends 
To  dress  her  mistress,  and  disclose  her  charms  ; 
Such  as  a  Pope  in  miniature  has  shown  ;* 
A  Bathurst  o'er  the  widening  forest  f  spreads  ; 
And  such  as  form  a  Richmond,  Chiswick,  Stowe, 

"  August,  around,  what  public  works  I  see  ! 
Lo  !  stately  streets,  lo  !  squares  that  court  the  bree« 
In  spite  of  those  to  whom  pertains  the  care, 
Ingulfing  more  than  founded  Roman  ways. 
Lo  !  rayed  from  cities  o'er  the  hriglitened  land, 
Connecting  sea  to  sea,  the  solid  road. 
Lo  !  thi,'  proud  arch  (no  vile  exactor's  stand) 
With  easy  sweep  bestrides  the  chasing  flood. 
See  !   long  canals,  and  deepened  rivers  join 
Each  part  \\\\\\  each,  and  with  the  circling  main 
The  whole  enliveni'd  isle.      Lo  !   ports  expand, 

*At  his  Twickenham  Villa. 

f  Okely  woodB,  near  Cirencester. 


154  THE  CASTLE  OF  INDOLENCE. 

Free  as  the  winds  and  waves,  their  sheltering  arms. 
Lo  !  streaming  comfort  o'er  the  troubled  deep, 
On  every  pointed  coast  the  lighthouse  towers  ; 
And  by  the  broad  imperious  mole  repelled, 
Hark  !  how  the  baffled  storm  indignant  roars." 
As  thick  to  view  these  varied  wonders  rose, 
Shook  all  ray  soul  with  transport,  unassured. 
The  vision  broke  ;  and  on  my  waking  eye, 
Rushed  the  still  ruins  of  dejected  Rome. 


THE  CASTLE  OF  INDOLENCE. 

ADVERTISEMENT. 

This  poem  being  written  in  the  manner  of  Spenser,  the  obsolete 
words,  and  a  simplicity  of  diction  in  sonie  of  the  lines,  which 
borders  on  the  ludicrous,  were  necessary  to  make  the  ioiitation 
more  perfect.  And  the  style  of  that  admirable  poet,  as  well 
as  the  measure  in  which  he  wrote,  are,  as  it  were,  appropriat- 
ed by  custom  to  the  allegorical  poems  writ  in  our  language  ; 
just  as  in  French,  the  style  of  Marot.who  lived  under  Francis 
the  First,  has  been  used  in  tales,  and  familiar  epistles,  by  the 
politest  writers  of  the  age  of  Louis  the  Fourteenth. 


CANTO  I. 


The  castle  hight  of  Indolence, 
And  its  false  luxury  ; 

Where  for  a  little  time,  alas  I 
We  lived  right  jollily. 


O  MORTAL  man,  who  livest  here  by  toil, 

Do  not  complain  of  this  thy  hard  estate  ; 

That  like  an  emmet  thou  must  ever  moil. 

Is  a  sad  sentence  of  an  ancient  date  ; 

And,  certes,  there  is  for  it  reason  great ; 

For,  though  sometimes  it  makes  thee  weep  and  wail, 


THE   CASTLM   OF  INDOLENCE.  2M 

And  curse  thy  star,  and  early  drudge   and  late, 
Withouten  that  would  come  a  heavier  bale. 
Loose  life,  unruly  passions,  and  diseases  pale. 

2. 

In  lowly  dale,  fast  by  a  river's  side, 

With  woody  hill  o'er  hill  encompassed  round, 

A  most  enchanting  wizard  did  abide, 

Than  whom  a  tiend  more  fell  is  nowhere  found. 

It  was,  I  ween,  a  lovely  spot  of  ground  ; 

And  there  a  season  atween  June  and  May, 

Half  prankt  with  spring,  with    summer    half    im« 

browned, 
A  listless  climate  made,  M'here,  sooth  to  say. 
No  living  wight  could  work,  ne  cared   even  for  play. 


Was  naught  around  but  images  of  rest  : 
Sleep-soolhing  groves,  and  quiet  lawns  between  ; 
And  flowery  beds  that  slumberous  influence  kest, 
From  poppies  breathed,  and  beds  of  pleasant  green, 
Where  never  yet  was  creeping  creature  seen. 
Meantime,  unnumbered  glittering  streamlets  played 
And  hurled  everywhere  tlieir  waters  sheen  ; 
That,  as  they  bickered  through  the  sunny  glade. 
Though  restless   still    themselves,  a    lulling  murmur 
made. 

4. 

Joined  to  the  prattle  of  the  purling  rills 
Were  heard  the  lowing  herds  along  the  vale, 
And  flocks  loud  bleating  from  tlu;  distant  hills 
And  vacant  shejjlierds  pij)ing  in  the  dale  : 
Ari<l,  now  and   then,  sweet  I^hiiomel  would  wall. 
Or  stockdoves  plain  atnid  the  forest  deep. 
That  drowsy  rustled  to  tlie  sigliMig  gale  ; 
And  Htill  a  coil  the  grasshopper  did  keep  ; 
Yet  all  theue  sounds  yblent  inclined  ;ill  to  sleep. 


IM  THE  CASTLE  OF  INDOLENCE. 


Full  in  the  passage  of  the  vale,  above, 

A  sable,  silent,  solemn  forest  stood. 

Where  naught  but  shadowy    forms    were   seen  tt 

move, 
As  Idless  fancied  in  her  dreaming  mood  ; 
And  up  the  hills,  on  either  side,  a  wood 
Of  blackening  pines,  aye  waving  to  and  fro. 
Send  forth  a  sleepy  horror  through  the  blood  ; 
And  where  this  valley  winded  out,  below, 
riie  murmuring  main  was  heard,  and  scarcely   heani 

to  flow. 

6. 

A  pleasing  land  of  drowsy  head  it  was, 
Of  dreams  that  wave  before  the  half -shut  eye  ; 
And  of  gay  castles  in  the  clouds  that  pass. 
Forever  flushing  round  a  summer-sky  : 
There  eke  the  soft  delights,  that  witchingly 
Instill  a  wanton  sweetness  through  the  breast  ; 
And  the  calm  pleasures  always  hovered  nigh  ; 
But  whate'er  smacked  of  noyance  or  unrest, 
Was  far,  far  off  expelled  from  this  delicious  nesi. 


The  landscape  such,  inspiring  perfect  ease, 
Where  Indolence  (for  so  the  wizard  hight) 
Close-hid  his  castle  mid  embowering  trees, 
That  half  shut  out  the   beams  of  Phoebus  bright, 
And  made  a  kind  of  checkered  day  and  night : 
Meanwhile  unceasing  at  the  massy  gate 
Beneath  a  spacious  palm,  the  wicked  wight 
Was  placed  ;  and  to  his  lute,  of  cruel  fate 
And  labor  harsh,  complained,  lamenting  man's  estaU 


Thither  continual  pilgrin)s  crowded  still, 

From  all  the  roads  of  earth  tiiat  pass  there  by  ; 


THE  CASTLE  OF  INDOLE NCH.  JWt 

For,  as  they  chaunced    to  breathe   on  neighboH  i\g 

hill, 
The  freshness  of  this  valley  smote  their  eye, 
And  drew  them  ever  and  anon  more  nigh  ; 
Till  clustering  round  the  enchanter  false  they  hur^', 
Ymolten  with  his  siren  melody  ; 
While  O'er  the  enfeebling  lute  his  hand  he  flung, 
And  to  the  trembling  chords  these    tempting    verse* 
sung  : 


"  Behold  !  ye  pilgrims  of  this  earth,  behold  ! 
See  all,  but  man,  with  unearned  pleasure  gay  ; 
See  her  bright  robes  the  butterfly  unfold. 
Broke  from  her  wintry  tomb  in  prime  of  May  t 
What  youthful  bride  can  equal  her  array  ? 
Who  can  with  her  for  easy  pleasure  vie  ? 
From  mead  to  mead  witli  gentle  wing  to  straj. 
From  flower  to  flower  on  balmy  gales  to  fly, 
Is  all  she  has  to  do  beneath  the  radiant  sky. 

10. 

"  Behold  the  merrj  minstrels  of  the  morn, 
The  swarming  son/^sters  of  the  careless  grove, 
Ten  thousand  throats  !  that,    from    the    flowering 

thorn, 
Ilymn  their  good  <jod,  and  carol  sweet  of  love, 
Such  grateful  kindly  raptures  them  eraove  : 
They  neither  pli>w,  nor  sow  ;  ne,  fit  for  flail. 
E'er  to  the  barn  the  nodden  sheavcfs  they  drove  ; 
Yet  theirs  each  harvest  dancing  in  the  gale, 
Whatever  crowns  the  hill,  or  smiles  along  the  vale. 

11. 

"  Outcast  of  nature,  man  !  the  wretched  thrall 
Of  bitter  droo])ing  sweat,  of  sw<'llry  pain, 
Of  cares  that  eat  away  the  licart  with  gall, 
Ajid  of  the  vices,  an  inhuman  1r;iin, 
That  all  proceed  from  savage  tlurst  of  gain  \ 


$M  THE  CASTLE  OF  INDOLENCE. 

For  when  hard-hearted  interest  first  began 
To  poison  earth,  Astraea  left  the  plain  ; 
Guile,  violence,  and  murder  seized  on  man, 
And,  for  soft  milky  streams,  with  blood  the  rivers  ran. 

12. 

"  Come,  ye,  who  still  the  cumbrous  load  of  life 
Push  hard  up  hill  ;  but  as  the  furthest  steep 
You  trust  to  gain,  and  put  an  end  to  strife, 
Down  thunders  back  the  stone  with  mighty  sweep 
And  hurls  your  labors  to  the  valley  deep. 
Forever  vain  :  comes,  and  withouten  fee, 
I  in  oblivion  will  your  sorrows  steep, 
Your  cares,  your  toils  ;  will  steep  you  in  a  sea 
Of  full  delight ;  O  come,  ye  weary  wights,  to  me  ) 

13. 

"  With  me,  you  need  not  rise  at  early  dawn, 
To  pass  the  joyless  day  in  various  stounds  ; 
Or,  louting  low,  on  upstart  fortune  fawn, 
And  sell  fair  honor  for  some  paltry  pounds, 
Or  through  the  city  take  your  dirty  rounds, 
To  cheat,  and  dun,  and  lie,  and  visit  pay, 
Now  flattering  base,  now  giving  secret  wound*  ; 
Or  prowl  in  courts  of  law  for  human  prey. 
In  venal  senate  thieve,  or  rob  on  broad  highway. 

14. 

'*  No  cocks,  with  me,  to  rustic  labor  call. 
From  village  on  to  village  sounding  clear  ; 
To  tardy  swain  no  shrill-voiced  matrons  squall ; 
No  dogs,  no  babes,  no  wives,  to  stun  your  ear  ; 
No  hammers  thump  ;  no  horrid  blacksmith  sear 
Ne  noisy  tradesmen  your  sweet  slumbers  start. 
With  sounds  that  are  a  misery  to  hear  : 
But  all  is  calm,  aa  would  delight  the  iieart 
Of  Sybarite  of  old,  all  nature,  and  all  art. 


THE  CASTLE  OF  INDOLENCE.  dM 

15. 

"  Here  naught  but  candor  reigns,  indulgent  ease, 
Good-natured  lounging,  sauntering  up  and  down. 
They   who   are   pleased   themselves   must   always 

please  ; 
On  others'  ways  they  never  sq^uint  a  frown, 
Nor  heed  what  haps  in  haiulet  or  in  town. 
Thus  from  the  source  of  tender  Indolence, 
With  milky  blood  the  heart  is  overflown, 
Is  soothed  and  sweetened  by  the  social  sense  ; 
For  interest,  envy,    pride,    and  strife  are   banished 

hence. 

16. 

"  What,  what  is  virtue,  but  repose  of  mind, 
A  pure  ethereal  calm,  that  knows  no  storm  ; 
Above  the  reach  of  wild  ambition's  wind, 
Above  those  passions  that  this  world  deform. 
And  torture  man,  a  proud  malignant  worm  ? 
But  here,  instead,  soft  gales  of  passion  play, 
And  gently  stir  the  heart,  thereby  to  form 
A  quicker  sense  of  joy  :  as  breezes  stray 
Across  the  enlivened  skies,  and  make  them  still  mor< 

gay- 

17. 

"  The  best  of  men  have  ever  loved  repose  : 
They  hate  to  mingle  in  the  filthy  fray  ; 
Where  the  soul  sours,  and  gradual  rancor  grows. 
Imbittered  more  from  peevish  day  to  day. 
E'en  those  whom  fame  has  lent  her  fairest  ray, 
The  most  renowned  of  worthy  wights  of  yore, 
From  a  base  world  at  last  have  stolen  away  : 
So  Scipio,  to  the  soft  Cuma^an  shore 
Retiring,  tasted  joy  he  never  knew  before. 

18. 

"  But  if  a  little  exercise  you  choose. 

Some  zest  for  tiase.  'Hs  not  forbidden  her«  : 


MO  THE  CASTLE   OF  INDOLENCE. 

Amid  the  groves  you  may  indulge  the  muse, 
Or  tend  the  blooms,  and  deck  the  vernal  year ; 
Or  f^oftly  stealing,  with  your  watery  gear, 
Along  the  brooks,  the  crimson-spotted  fry 
You  may  delude  ;  the  whilst,  amused,  you  hear 
Now  the  hoarse  stream,   and  now  the  zephyr's  sigh 
AttunM  to  the  birds,  and  woodland  melody. 

19. 
"  O  grievous  folly  !  to  heap  up  estate. 
Losing  the  days  you  sec  beneath  the  sun  ; 
When,  sudden,  comes  blind  unrelenting  fate, 
And  gives  the  untasted  portion  you  have  won 
With  ruthless  toi',  and  many  a  wretch  undone, 
To  those  who  mock  you,  gone  to  Pluto's  reign, 
There  with  sad  ghosts  to  pine,  and  shadows  dun  : 
But  sure  it  is  of  vanities  most  vain, 
To  toil  for  what  you  here  untoiling  may  obtain." 

20. 
He  ceased.     But  still  their  trembling  ears  retained 
The  deep  vibrations  of  his  witching  song  ; 
That,  by  a  kind  of  magic  power,  constrained 
To  enter  in,  pell  mell,  the  listening  throng. 
Heaps  poured  on  heaps  and  yet  they  slipped  along, 
In  silent  ease  :  as  when  beneath  the  beam 
Of  summer-moons,  the  distant  woods  among. 
Or  I)y  some  flood  all  silvered  with  the  gleam, 
The  soft-embodied  fays  through  airy  portal  stream. 

21. 
By  the  ciiiooth  demon  so  it  ordered  was, 
And  here  bis  banoful  bounty  first  began  : 
Though  some  there  were  who  would  not  further  pass, 
And  his  iJluring  baits  suspected  ban. 
The  \,  i  T  distrust  the  tO(-  fair-spoken  man  ; 
Yet,  through  the  gate  they  cast  a  wishful  eye  : 
Not  to  move  on,  perdie,  is  all  they  can  ; 
For  do  their  very  best  they  cannot  tly, 
But  often  each  way  look,  and  often  sorely  sigh. 


TBM  C4STLB   OF  INDOLENCE,  3«l 

22. 

When  this  the  watchful  wicked  wizard  saw, 
With  sudden  spring  ho  leaped  upon  them  straight  *, 
And  soon  as  touched  by  his  unhallowed  paw, 
They  found  themselves  within  the  (!urs»^d  gate  ; 
Full  hard  to  be  repassed,  like  that  of  fate. 
Not  stronger  were  of  old  the  giant  crew, 
Who  sought  to  pull  high  Jove  from  regal  state ; 
Though  feeble  wretch  he  seemed,  of  sallow  hue, 
Certes,  who  bides  his  grasp,  will  that  encounter  rue. 

23. 

For  whomso'er  the  villain  takes  in  hand. 
Their  joints  unknit,  their  sinews  melt  apace  J 
As  lithe  they  grow  as  any  willow-wand. 
And  of  their  vanished  force  remains  no  trace : 
So  when  a  maiden  fair,  of  modest  grace. 
In  all  her  buxom  blooming  May  of  charms, 
Is  seized  in  some  losel's  hot  embrace. 
She  waxeth  very  weakly  as  she  warms. 
Then  sighing  yields  her  up  to  love's  delicious  channa 

24. 

Waked  by  the  crowd,  slow  from  his  bench  arose 
A  comely,  full-spread  porter,  swoln  with  sleep  ; 
His  calm,  broad,  thoughtless  aspect  breathed  re> 

j)ose  ; 
And  in  sweet  torpor  he  was  plunged  deep, 
Ne  could  himself  from  ceaseless  yawning  keep  ; 
While  o'er  his  eyes  the  drowsy  liquor  ran, 
Through  which  his  half- waked  soul  would  faintly 

})eep  ; 
Thf'ii,  taking  his  blacrk  staff,  he  called  his  man. 
And  roused  himself  as  mu(;h  as   rouse  himself  he  can 

25. 

The  lad  leaped  liglilly  at  his  master's  call: 
He  was,  to  wee,  a  little  roguish  page, 


362  THE   CASTLE   0^  INDOLENCE. 

Save  sleep  and  play,  who  minded  naught  at  all. 
Like  most  the  untaught  striplings  of  his  age. 
This  boy  he  kept  each  band  to  disengage, 
Garters  and  buckles,  task  for  him  unfit, 
But  ill  becoming  his  grave  personage. 
And  which  his  portly  paunch  would  not  permit ; 
So  this  same  limber  page  to  all  performed  it. 

36. 

Meantime  the  master  porter  wide  displayed 
Great  store  of  caps,  of  slippers,  and  of  gowns  , 
Wherewith  he  those  who  entered  in  arrayed 
Loose,  as  the  breeze  that  plays  along  the  downs, 
And    waves     the    summer-woods    when    evening 

frowns  : 
Oh  fair  undress,  best  dress  !  it  chocks  no  vein, 
But  ever  flowing  limb  in  pleasure  drowns. 
And  heightens  ease  with  grace.     This  done,  right 

fain. 
Sir  porter  sat  him  down,  and  turned  to  sleep  again. 

27. 

Thus  easy  robed,  they  to  the  fountain  sped 

That  in  the  middle  of  the  court  up-threw 

A  stream,  high  spouting  from  its  liquid  bed, 

And  falling  back  again  in  drizzly  dew  ; 

There  each    deep  draughts,    as  deep  he  thirsted, 

drew  ; 
It  was  a  fountain  of  nepenthe  rare  ; 
Whence,  as  Dan  Homer  sings,  huge  pleasance  grew. 
And  sweet  oblivion  of  vile  earthly  care  ; 
Fair  gladsome  waking  thoughts,  and  joyous  dreams 

more  fair. 

28. 

This  rite  performed,  all  inly  pleased  and  still, 
Withouten  tronip,  was  ]>rocIamation  made  : 
"Ye  sons  of  Indolence,  do  what  you  will  ; 
And  wander  where  you  list,  through  hall  or  glade  ) 


THE  CASTLE  OF  INDOLENCE.  263 

Be  no  man's  pleasure  for  another  staid  ; 
Let  each  as  likes  him  best  his  hours  employ, 
And  cursed  be  he  who  minds  his  neighbor's  trade  I 
Here  dwells  kind  ease  and  uin-eproving  joy  ; 
He  little  merits  bliss  who  others  can  annoy." 

29. 

Straight  of  these  endless  numbers,  swarming  round, 
As  thick  as  idle  motes  m  sunny  ray, 
Not  one  eftsoons  in  view  was  t*"'  be  found, 
But  every  man  strolled  off  his  own  glad  way  j 
Wide  o'er  this  ample  court's  blank  area. 
With  all  the  lodges  that  thereto  pertained, 
No  living  creature  could  be  seen  to  stray  ; 
While  solitude,  and  perfect  silence  reigned  ; 
So  that  to  think   you  dreamt  you  almost  was  con- 
strained. 

30. 

As  when  a  shepherd  of  the  Hebrid-Isles, 
Placed  far  amid  the  melancholy  main, 
(Whether  it  be  lone  fancy  him  beguiles  ; 
Or  that  aerial  beings  sometime. ;  deign 
To  stand,  embodied,  to  our  senses  plain) 
Sees  on  the  naked  hill,  or  valley  low, 
The  whilst  in  ocean  Phfcbus  dips  his  wain, 
A  vast  assembly  moving  to  and  fro  : 
Then  all  at  once  in  air  dissolves  the   wondrous  show 

31. 

Ye  gods  of  quiet,  and  of  sleej)  profound  ! 
Whose  soft  dominion  o'er  this  castle  sways, 
And  all  the  widely  silent  places  round, 
Forgive  me,  if  my  trembling  pen  <lisplayg 
What  never  yet  was  sung  in  mortal  lays. 
But  how  shall  I  atlemj)t  such  ai'duous  string? 
I  who  have  spcTit  niy  nights,  and  niglitly  days, 
In  this  soul-deadening  place  loose-loitering  : 
Ah  !  how  shall  1  for  this  uproar  my  molted  wing. 


ta  THE  CASTLE  OF  INDOLENCE. 

32. 

Oc^flv  vD,  my  muse,  nor  stoop  to  low  despair, 
Thou  imp  of  Jove  touched  by  celestial  fire  ! 
Thou  yet  shait  sing  of  war,  and  actions  fair, 
Which  the  bold  sons  of  Britain  will  inspire  ; 
Of  ancient  bards  chou  yet  shalt  sweep  the  lyre  ; 
Thou  yet  shalt  thread  in  tragic  pall  the  stage, 
Paint  love's  enchanting  woes,  the  hero's  ire, 
The  sage's  calm,  tne  patriot's  noble  rage, 
Oashing  corruption  down    through  every   worthless 
age. 

33. 

The  doors,  that  knew  no  shrill  alarming  bell, 
Ne  cursed  knocker  plied  by  villain's  hand, 
Self-opened  into  halls,  where,  who  can  tell 
What  elegance  and  grandeur  wide  expand  ; 
The  pride  of  Turkey  and  of  Persia  land  ? 
Soft  quilts  on  quilts,  on  carpets  carpets  spread. 
And  couches  stretched  around  in  seemly  band  ; 
And  endless  pillows  rise  to  prop  rhe  head  ; 
So  that  each  spacious  room  was  one  full-swelling  bed. 

34. 

And  everywhere  huge  covered  tables  stood, 
With  wines  high-flavored  and  rich   viands    crown- 
ed ; 
Whatever  sprightly  juice  or  tasteful  food 
On  the  green  bosom  of  this  earth  are  found, 
And  all  old  ocean  'genders  in  his  round, 
Some  hand  unseen  these  silently  displayed. 
Even  undemanded  by  a  sign  or  sound  ; 
You  need  but  wish,  and,  instantly  obeyed, 
Fair  ranged  the  dishes  rose,    and    thick   the    glassei 
played. 

35. 

Here  freedom  reigned,  without  the  least  alloy  ; 
Nor  gossip's  tale,  nor  ancient  maiden's  gall, 


THE  CASTLE  OF  INDOLENCE.  i«S 

Kor  Baintly  spleen,  durst  murmur  at  our  joy, 
And  with  envenomed  tongue  our  pleasures  pall. 
For  why  ?  there  was  but  one  great  rule  for  all ; 
To  wit,  that  each  should  work  his  own  desire, 
And  eat,  drink,  study,  sleep,  as  it'may  fall, 
Or  melt  the  time  in  love,  or  wake  the  lyre, 
And  carol  what,  unhid,  the  muses  might  inspire. 

36. 

The  rooms  with  costly  tapestry  were.hung 
Where  was  inwoven  many  a  gentle  tale, 
Such  as  of  old  the  rural  poets  sung, 
Or  of  Arcadian  or  Sicilian  vale  ; 
Reclining  lovers  in  the  lonely  dale. 
Poured   forth  at   large  the  sweetly  tortured  heart ; 
Or,  sighing  tender  passion,  swelled  the  gale, 
And  taught  charmed  echo  to  resouild  their   smart ; 
While  flocks,  woods,  streams  around,  repose  and  peace 
impart. 

37. 

Those  pleased  the  most,  where,  by  a   cunning  hand, 

Uepainted  was  the  patriarchal  age  ; 
What  time  Dan  Abraham  left  the  Chaldee  land, 
And  pastured  on  from  verdant  stage  to  stage. 
Where  fields  and  fountains  fresh  could  best  engage. 
Toil  was  not  then  ;   of  nothing  took  they  heed, 
But  with  wild  beasts  the  sylvan  war  to  wage, 
And  o'er  vast  plains  their  herds  and  flocks  to  feed  : 
Blessed  sons  of  nature  they  !  true  golden  age  indeed  1 

38. 

Sometimes  the  pencil,  in  cool  airy  halls, 
Bade  the  gay  bloom  of  vernal  landscapes  rise, 
Or  Auturnu'ri  varied  shades  inibrown  the  walls  ; 
Now  the  black  t<'tiipest  strikes  the  astonished   eyea  ; 
Now  down  the  steep  the  llaHhiiig  tcjrreiit  flies  ; 
The  trcinl»Iiiig  snii  now  plays  o'er  ocean  blue, 
And  n(jw  rude  niountains  frown  amid  the  skiee  j 


Mt  THE  CASTLE  OF  INDOLENCE. 

Whate'er  Lorraine  light-touched  with  softening  hue, 
Or  savage  Rosa  dashed,  or  learned  Poussin  drew 

39. 

Each  sound  too  here  to  languishment  inclined 
Lulled  the  weak  bosom,  and  induced  ease  ; 
Aerial  music  in  the  warbling  wind, 
At  distance  rising  oft,  by  small  degrees. 
Nearer  and  nearer  came,  till  o'er  the  trees 
It  hung,  and  breathed  such  soul-dissolving  air«, 
As  did,  alas  !  with  soft  perdition  please  : 
Entangled  deep  in  its  enchanting  snares, 
The  listening  heart  forgot  all  duties  and  all  cares. 

40. 
A  certain  music,  never  known  before, 
Here  lulled  tjie  pensive,  melancholy  mind  ; 
F'ull  easily  obtained.     Behooves  no  more, 
But  sidelong,  to  the  gently  waving  wind, 
To  lay  the  well-timed  instrument  reclined  ; 
From  which,  with  airy  flying  fingers  light, 
Beyond  each  mortal  touch  the  most  refined, 
The  god  of  winds  drew  sound  of  deep  delight  : 
Whence,  with  ^ust  cause,  the  harp  of  ^olus  it  bight. 

41. 
Ah  me  !  what  hand  can  touch  the  string  so  fine 
Who  up  the  loftly  diapason  roll 
Such  sweet,  such  sad,  such  solemn  airs  divine. 
Then  let  them  down  again  into  the  soul  ! 
Now  rising  love  they  fanned  ;  now  pleasing  dole 
They   breathed,  in    tender     musings    through    tb* 

hear;  ; 
And  now  a  graver  sacred  strain  they  stole, 
As  when  seraphic  hands  a  hymn  impart : 
Wild  warbling  nature  all,  above  the  reach  of  art ; 

42. 

Such  the  gay  splendor,  the  luxurious  state, 
or  Caliphs  old,  who  on  the  Tigris'  shore 


THE  CASTLE  OF  INDOLENCE.  %&l 

Ib  mighty  Bagdat,  jiopulous  and  great, 
Held  their  bright  court,  where  was  of  ladies  store, 
And  verse,  luve,  mu.-ie,  still  the  garland  wore  ; 
When  sleep  was  coy,  the  bard,  in  waiting  there. 
Cheered  the  lone  midnight  with  the  muse's  lore  ; 
Composing  music  bade  his  dreams  be  fair. 
And  music  lent  new  gladness  to  the  morning  air. 

43. 
Near  the  pavilion  where  we  slept,  still  ran 
Soft  tinkling  streams,  and  dashing  waters  fell, 
And  sobbing  breezes  sighed,  and  oft  began 
(So  worked  the  wizard)  wintry  storms  to  swell, 
As  heaven  and  earth  they  would  together  mell  ; 
At  doors  and  windows  threatening   seemed  to   call 
The  demons  of  the  tempest,  growling  fell. 
Yet  the  least  entrance  found  they  none  at  all  : 
Whence  sweeter  grew  our  sleep  secure  in  massy  hall. 

44. 
And  hither  Morpheas  sent  his  kindest  dreams. 
Raising  a  world  of  gayer  tinct  and  grace  ; 
O'er  which  were  shadowy  cast  elysian  gleams, 
That  played,  in  waving  lights,  from  place  to  place  ; 
And  shed  a  roseate  smile  on  nature's  face. 
Not  Titian's  pencil  e'er  could  so  array, 
So  fleece  with  clouds  the  pure  ethereal  space  ; 
Ne  could  it  e'er  such  melting  forms  display. 
As  loose  on  flowery  beds  all  languishingly  lay. 

45. 

No,  fair  illusions  !  artful  phantoms,  no  ! 
My  muse  will  not  attempt  your  fairy  land  : 
She  has  no  colors  that  like  you  can  glow  : 
To  catch  your  vivi<l  scenes  too  gross  her  hand. 
But  sure  it  is,  was  ne'er  a  subtler  band 
Than  these  same  guileful  angel-seeining  snrights, 
Who  thus  ill  dreams  voiuptuou-,  soft,  .iiid  bland. 
Poured  all  the  Arabian  heaven  upoiioui'  nights. 
And  blest  them  oft  begides  with  more  '■(tincil  n'r!i<dit« 


M  TME  CASTLE  OP  INDOLENCE. 

46. 

They  were,  in  sooth,  a  most  enchanting  train. 
Even  feigning  virtue  ;  skillful  to  uniio 
With  evil  good,  and  strew  with  pleasure  pain. 
But  for  those  fiends,  whom  blood  and  broils  delight, 
Who  hurl  the  wretch,  as  if  to  hell  outright, 
Down  down  black  gulfs,  where  sullen  waters  sleep  ; 
Or  hold  him  clambering  all  the  fearful  night 
On  beetling  cliffs,  or  pent  in  ruins  deep  ; 
rhey,  till  due  time  should  serve,  were  bid  far  hence 
to  keep. 

47. 

Ye  guardian  spirits,  to  whom  man  is  dear, 

From    these    foul    demons    shield    the    midnight 

gloom  ; 
Angels  or  fancy  and  of  love,  be  near. 
And  o'er  the  blank  of  sleep  diffuse  a  bloom  : 
Evoke  the  sacred  shades  of  Greece  and  Rome, 
And  let  them  virtue  with  a  look  impart  : 
But  chief,  a  while,  O  !  lend  us  from  the  tomb 
Those  long  lost  friends  for  whom  in  love  we  smart, 
And  fill  with  pious  awe  and  joy-mixed  woe  the  heart. 

48. 

Or  are  you  sportive Bid  the  morn  of  youth 

Rise  to  new  light,  and  beam  afresh  the  days 
Of  innocence,  simplicity,  and  truth  ; 
To  cares  estranged,  and  manhood's  thorny  ways. 
What  transport  to  retrace  our  boyish  plays. 
Our  easy  bliss,  when  each  thin<:^  joy  supplied  ; 
The  woods,  the  mountains,  and  thn   warblins;  maze 
Of  the  wild  brooks  !  —  but,  fondly  wanderiifg  wide, 
My  muse,  resume  the  task  that  yet  doth  thee  ibid-, 

49. 

One  great  amusement  of  our  household  w.  ,, 

In  a  huge  crystal  magic  globe  to  spy, 

Still  as  you  turned  it,  all  things  that  do  \h,.^ 


THE  CASTLE  OF  INDOLEi\CE.  Ml 

Upon  this  ant-hill  earth  ;  where  constantly 
Of  idly  busy  men  the  restless  frv 
Run  bustling  to  and  fro  with  foolish  haste, 
In  search  of  pleasures  vain  that  from  them  fly, 
Or  which,  obtained,  the  caitiffs  dare  not  taste  : 
When  nothing  is  enjoyed,  can  there  be  greater  waste  \ 

50. 

"  Of  vanity  the  mirror,"  this  was  called  : 
Here,  you  a  muckworm  of  the  town  may  sea. 
At  his  dull  desk,  amid  his  ledgers  stalled, 
Eat  up  with  carking  care  and  penury  ; 
Most  like  to  carcase  parched  on  gallow-tree. 
"  A  penny  saved  is  a  penny  got  : " 
Firm  to  this  scoundrel  maxim  keepeth  he, 
Ne  of  its  rigor  will  he  bate  a  jot, 
Till  he  has  quenched  his  fire,  and  banishM  his  pot. 

51. 
Straight  from  the  filth  of  this  low  grub,  behold  I 
Comes  fluttering  forth  a  gaudy  spendthrift  heir. 
All  glossy  gay,  enameled  all  with  gold, 
The  silly  tenant  of  the  summer  air  ; 
In  folly  lost,  of  nothing  takes  he  care  ; 
Pimps,  lawyers,  stewards,  harlots,  flatterers  vile, 
And  thieving  tradesmen  him  among  them  share  ; 
His  father's  ghost  from  limbo  lake,  the  while, 
Sees  this,  which  more  damnation  doth  upon  him  pile, 

52. 
Tliis  globe  protrayed  the  race  of  learned  men. 
Still  at  their  books,  and  turning  o'er  the  page, 
Backwards  and  forwards  ;  olL  they  snatch  the  pen, 
Ah  if  ins{)ireii,  and  in  a  Thespian  rage  ; 
Then  write,   and  l)lot,  as  would   your  ruth  engage  : 
Why,  authors,  all  this  scrawl  and  scribbling  sore  ? 
To  lose  the  presr'ut,  Ljain  the  future  age. 
Praised  to  Im'  wIumi  yon  can  hcai'  n(j  more. 
And  much  t-nriched  with  fame,  when   useless  worldly 
store. 


870  THE  CASTLE  OF  INDOLENCE. 

53. 

Then  would  a  Bplendid  city  rise  to  view, 
With  carts,  and  cars,  and  coaches,  roaring  all ; 
Wide-poured  abroad  behold  the  giddy  crew  ; 
See  how  they  dash  along  from  wall  to  wall  ; 
At  every  door,  hark  how  they  thundering  call  I 
Good  Lord  !  what  can  this  giddy  route  excite? 
Why,  on  each  other  with  fell  tooth  to  fall ; 
A  neighbor's  fortune,  fame,  or  peace,  to  blight, 
And  making  new  tiresome  parties   for  the  coming 
night. 

54. 

The  puzzling  sons  of  party  next  appeared, 

In  dark  cabals  and  nightly  juntos  met  ; 

And  now   they   whispered   close,    now    shrugging 

reared 
The  important  shoulder  ;  tlien,  as  if  to  get 
New  light,  their  twinkling  eyes  were  inward  set. 
No  sooner  Lucifer  recalls  affairs 
Then  forth  they  various  rush  in  mighty  fret  ; 
When  lo  !  pushed  up  to  power,  and  crowned  their 
cares. 
In  comes  another  set,  and  kicketh  them  down-stairs. 

55. 

But  what  Most  showed  the  vanity  of  life 
Was  to  behold  the  nations  all  on  fire. 
In  cruel  broils  engaged,  and  deadly  strife  ; 
Most  Christian  kings,  inflamed  by  black  desire, 
With  honorable  ruffians  in  their  hire. 
Cause  war  to  rage,  and  blood  around  to  pour  ; 
Of  this  sad  work  when  each  begins  to  tire. 
Then  sit  them  down  just  where  they  were  before, 
Ti}!,   for  new  scenes  of   woe,   i)eace  shall  their  force 
restore. 

56. 

To  number  up  the  thousands  dwelling  here, 
A  useless  were,  and  ekt-  an  endless  task  : 


THE  CASTLE  OF  INDOLENCE.  271 

From  kings  and  those  who  at  the  helm  appear, 
To  gypsies  brown  in  summer-glades  who  bask. 
Yea  many  a  man,  })erdit,  1  could  unmask, 
Whose  desk  and  table  make  a  solemn  show. 
With  tape-tied  trash,  and  suits  of  fools  that  ask 
For  place  or  pension  laid  in  decent  row  ; 
But  these  I  passen  by,  with  nameless  numbers  moe. 

57. 

Of  all  the  gentle  tenants  of  the  place, 
There  was  a  man  of  special  grave  remark  ; 
A  certain  tender  gloom  o'ers})read  his  face, 
Pensive,  not  sad  ;  in  thought  involved,  not  dark  ; 
As  soot  this  man  could  sing  as  morning  lark, 
And  teach  the  noblest  morals  of  the  heart : 
But  these  his  talents  were  yburicd  stark  ; 
Of  the  fine  stores  he  nothing  would  impart. 
Which  or  boon  nature  gave,  or  nature-painting  art. 

58. 

To  noontide  shades  incontinent  he  pan, 
Where  purls  the  brook  with  sleep-inviting  sound  : 
Or  when  Dan  Sol  to  slope  his  wheels  began. 
Amid  the  broom  he  basked  him  on  the  ground, 
Where  the  wild  thyme  and  camomile  are  found  ; 
There  would  he  linger,  till  the  latest  ray 
Of  light  sat  trembling  on  the  welkin's  bound  ; 
Then  homeward  through  tlu;  twiliglit  shadows  stray, 
Sannting  and  slow.     So  had  he  passed  many  a  day. 

59. 

Yet  not  in  thoughtless  shimbor  were  they  past : 
For  oft  the  heavenly  tire,  that  lay  concealed 
Beneath  the  sleeping  embers,  mounted  fast, 
And  all  its  native  light  anew  revealed  : 
Oft  as  he  traversed  the  cerulean  iield, 
\nd  marked  the  clouds  that  drove  before   the  wind, 
Ten  thousand  glorious  systems  would  he  build, 


fTl  THE   CASTLE    OF  INDOLENCE. 

Ten  thousand  great  ideas  filled  his  mind  ; 
But  with  the  clouds  they  fled,  and  left  no  trace  behind.* 

60. 

With  him  was  sometimes  joined,  in  silent  walk 
(Profoundly  silent,  for  they  never  spoke), 
One  shyer  still,  who  quite  detested  talk  : 
Oft,  stung  by  spleen,  at  once  away  he  broke. 
To  groves  of  pine,  and    broad    o'ershadowing  oak  ; 
There,  inly  thrilled,  he  wandered  all  alone, 
And  on  himself  his  pensive  fury  wroke, 
Ne  ever  uttered  word,  save  when  first  shone 
The  glittering  star  of  eve — "  Thank  heaven  !  the   day 
is  done."  f  ' 

61. 

Here  lurked  a  wretch,  who  had  not  crept  abroad 
For  forty  years,  ne  face  of  mortal  seen  ; 
In  chamber  brooding  like  a  loathly  toad  ; 
And  sure  his  linen  was  not  very  clean. 
Through  secret  loop-holes,  that  had  practiced  been, 
Near  to  his  bed,   his  dinner  vile  he  took  ; 
Unkempt,  and  rough,  of  squalid  face  and  mien. 
Our  castle's  shame  !  whence,  from  his   filthy  nook, 
We  drove  the  villain  out  for  fitter  lair  to  look. 

62. 
One  day  there  chanced  into  these  halls  to  rove 
A  joyous  youth,  who  took  you  at  first  sight  ; 
Him  the  wild  wave  of  pleasure  hither  drove, 
Before  the  sprightly  tempest  tossing  light  ; 
Certes,  he  was  a  most  engaging  wiglit, 
Of  social  glee,  and  wit  humane  though  keen. 
Turning  the  night  to  day,  and  day  to  night  : 

•Among  tlie  speculations  bazfirdcd  ix"-pecting  tliese  portraits, 
no  clue  appears  to  have  been  traced  to  the  original  of  this 
sketch 

f  This  character  wns  designed  for  Dr.  Armstrong,  the  author 
of  The  Art  of  I^e*eming  Health, 


THE  CASTLE  OF  INDOLENCE.  878 

For  him  the  merry  belis  had  rung,  I  ween, 
If,  in  this  nook  of  quiet,  bells  had  ever  been. 

63. 

But  not  e'en  pleasure  to  excess  is  good  : 
What  most  elates,  then  sinks  the  soul  as  low  : 
When  springtide  joy  pours  in  with  copious  flood, 
The  higher  still  the  exulting  billows  flow. 
The  further  back  again  they  flagging  go, 
And  leave  us  groveling  on  the  dreary  shore  ; 
Taught  by  this  son  of  joy,  we  found  it  so, 
Who,  whilst  he  staid,  he  kept  in  gay  uproar 
Our  maddened  castle  all,  the  abode  of  sleep  no   more. 

64. 

As  when  in  prime  of  June  a  burnished  fly. 
Sprung  from  the  meads  oYm-  which  he  sweeps  along, 
Cheered  by  the  breathing  bloom  and  vital  sky, 
Tunes  up  amid  these  airy  halls  his  song, 
Soothing  at  first  the  gay   reposing  throng  : 
And  oft  he  sips  their  bowl  ;  or,  nearly  drowned. 
He,  thence  recovering,  drives  their  beds  among. 
And  scares  their   tender    sleep   with   trump    pro 
found  ; 
Then  out  again  he  flies,  to  wing  his  mazy  round.  * 

65. 

Another  guest  there  was,  of  sense  refined. 
Who  felt  each  worth,  for  every  woi-th  he  had  ; 
Serene  yet  warm,  humane  yet  firm  his  mind, 
As  little  touched  as  any  man's  with  bad  : 
Him  through  their  inmost  walks  the  muses  lad, 
To  him  the  sacred  love  of  nature  lent, 
And  sometimew  would  he  iniikf!  our  valley  glad  ; 
Whenas  we  found  he  would  not  here  be  pent. 
To  him  the  better  sort  this  friendly  message  sent , 


John  Forbes,  the  son  of  Duncan  Forbes.Culloden. 


f74  THE  CASTLE  OF  INDOLENCE. 

66. 

"  Come,  dwell  with  us  !  true  son  of  virtue,  come  I 
But  if,  alas  !  we  cannot  thoe  persuade 
To  lie  content  beneath  our  peaceful  dome, 
Ne  never  more  to  quit  our  quiet  glade  ; 
Yet  when  at  last  thy  toils  but  ill  apaid 
Shall  dead  thy  fire  and  damp  its  heavenly  spark, 
Thou  wilt  be  glad  to  seek  the  rural  shade, 
There  to  indulge  the  muse,  and  nature  mark  : 
We  then  a  lodge  for  thee  will  rear  in  Hagley  Park.**  * 

67. 

Here  whilom  Hgged  the  Esopus  of  the  age  ; 
But  called  by  fame,  in  soul  yprickM  deep, 
A  noble  pride  restored  him  to  the  stage, 
And  roused  him  like  a  giant  from  his  sleep. 
Even  from  his  slumbers  we  advantage  reap  : 
With  double  force  the  enlivened  scene  he  wakes, 
Yet  quits  not  nature's  bounds.     He  knows  to  keep 
Each  due  decorum  :  now  the  heart  he  shakes, 
And  now  with  well  urged  sense  the   enlighted   judg 
ment  takes,  f 

68. 

A  bard  here  dwelt,  mo»e  fat  than  bard  beseems ; 
Who,  void  of  envy,  guile,  and  lust  of  gain. 
On  virtue  still,  and  nature's  pleasing  themes, 
Poured  forth  his  unpremeditated  strain  ; 
The  world  forsaking  with  a  calm  disdain. 
Here  laughed  he  careless  in  his  easy  seat ; 
Here  quaffed,  encircled  with  the  joyous  train, 
Oft  moralizing  sage  ;  his  ditty  sweet 
He  loathed  much  to  write,  ne  cared  to  repeat.  J 

*  Lord  Lyttleton. 

f  Quin,  the  actor. 

X  This  portrait  of  Thomson  was  contributed  by  Lord  LytU* 
toa  with  the  exception  of  the  first  line. 


THM  CASTLE  OF  INDOLENCE.  275 

69. 

Full  oft  by  holy  feet  our  ground  was  trod, 
Of  clerks  good  plenty  here  you  mote  espy. 
A  little  round,  fat,  oily  man  of  God, 
Was  one  I  chiefly  marked  among  the  fry  : 
He  had  a  roguish  twinkle  in  his  eye, 
And  shone  all  glittering  with  ungodly  dew, 
If  a  tight  damsel  chanced  to  trippen  by  ; 
Which  when  observed,  he  shrunk  into  his  mew, 
And  straight  would  recollect  his  piety  anew.* 

70. 

Nor  be  forgot  a  tribe,  who  minded  naught 
(Old  inmates  of  the  place)  but  state  affairs  : 
They  looked,  perdie,  as  if  they  deeply  thought, 
And  on  their  brow  sat  every  nation's  cares  ; 
The  world  by  them  is  parceled  out  in  shares, 
When  in  the  Hall  of  Smoke  they  congress  hold. 
And  the  sage  berry,  sun-burnt  Mocha  bears, 
Has  cleared  their  inward  eye  :  then,  smoke  enroll- 
ed 
Their  oracles  break  forth  mysterious  as  of  old, 

71. 

Here  languid  Beauty  kept  her  pale-faced  court  : 
Bevies  of  dainty  dames,  of  high  degree. 
From  every  quarter  hither  made  resort  ; 
Where,  from  gross  mortal  care  and  business  free, 
They  lay,  poured  out  in  ease  and  luxury  ; 
Or  should  they  a  vain  show  of  work  assume, 
Alas  !  and  well-a-day  !  what  can  it  be? 
To  knot,  to  twist,  to  range  the  vernal  bloom  ; 
But  far  is  cast  the  distaff,  spinning-wheel,  and  loom. 

72. 

Their  only  labor  was  to  kill  the  time 
(And  labor  dire  it  is,  and  weary  woe)  ; 


•  Dr.  Murdoch. 


pt  THE   CASTLE   OF  INDOLENCE. 

They  sit,  they  loll,  turn  o'er  some  idle  rhyme  ; 
Then,  rising  sudden,  to  the  glass  they  go, 
Or  saunter  forth,  with  tottering  step  and  slow : 
This  soon  too  rude  an  exercise  they  tind  ; 
Straight  on  the  couch  their  limbs  again  they  throw, 
Where  hours  they  sighing  lie  reclined, 
And  court  the  vapory  god,  soft  breathing  in  the  wind. 

73. 

One    nymph  there  was,  methought,  in  bloom  of 

May, 
On  whom  the  idle  fiend  glanced  many  a  look, 
In  hopes  to  lead  lier  down  the  slippery  way 
To  taste  of  Pleasure's  deep  deceitful  brook  ; 
No  virtues  yet  her  gentle  mind  forsook  ; 
No  idle  whims,  no  vapors  filled  her  brain, 
But  prudence  for  her  youthful  guide  she  took, 
And  goodness,  which  no  earthly  vice  could  stain, 
Dwelt  in  her  mind  ;  she  was  ne  proud  I  ween  or  vain. 

74. 

Now  must  I  mark  the  villainy  we  found, 
But  ah  !  too  late,  as  shall  eftsoons  be  shown. 
A  place  here  was,  deep,  dreary,  under  grown  ; 
Where  still  our  inmates,  when  unpleasing  ground, 
Diseased  and  lonesome,  privily  were  thrown  : 
Far  from  the  light  of  heaven,  they  languished  there, 
Unpitied  uttering  many  a  bitter  groan  ; 
For  of  these  wretches  taken  was  no  care  : 
Fierce  fiends,  and  hags  of  hell,  their  only  nurses  were. 

75. 

Alas  !  the  change  !  from  scenes  of  joy  and  rest, 
To  this  dark  den,  wliere  sickness  tossed  alway. 
Here  Lethargy,  with  deadly  sleep  oppressed, 
Sti't^tched  on  his  back,  a  niiglity  lubbard,  lay, 
Heaving  his  sides,  and  snored  night  and  day  ; 
To  stir  him  from  his  traunce  it  was  nut  eath. 
And  his  half-opened  eyne  he  shut  straightway  ; 


THE  CASTLE  Oh  INDOLENCE.  271 

He  led,  I  wot,  the  softest  way  to  death, 
And  taught  withouten   pain  and  strife   to  yield  the 
breath. 

76. 

Of  limbs  enormons,  but  withal  nnsound, 
Soft-swoln  and  pale,  here  lay  the  Hydropsy  : 
Unwieldly  man  ;  with  belly  monstrous  round, 
Forever  fed  with  watery  supply  : 
For  still  he  drank,  and  yet  he  still  was  dry. 
And  moping  liere  did  Hypochondria  sit, 
Mother  of  Spleen,  in  robes  of  various  dye, 
Who  vexed  was  full  oft  with  ugly  fit  ; 
And  some  her  frantic  deemed,  and  some  her  deemed 
a  wit. 

77. 

A  lady  proud  she  was,  of  ancient  blood. 
Yet  oft  her  fear  her  pride  made  crouchen  low  : 
She  felt,  or  fancied  in  her  fluttering  mood, 
All  the  diseases  which  the  spittles  know. 
And  sought  all  physic  which  the  shops  bestow, 
And  still  new  leeches  and  new  drugs  would  try, 
Her  humor  ever  wavering  to  and  fro  : 
For  sometimes  she   would   laugh,   and   sometime* 
cry, 
Then  sudden  waxed  wroth,  and  all  she  knew  not  why. 

78. 

Fast  by  her  side  a  listless  maiden  pined, 
With  aching  head,  and  sfjucarnish  hcart-biirnings  ; 
Pale,  bloated,  cold,  she  sectncd  to  hate  mankind. 
Yd  loved  in  secret  all  foi-hidden  tilings. 
And  here  the  Tertian  sliak"s  his  chilling  wings  ; 
The  sleepless  (j(Mtt  liei'e  counts  the  crowing  <n)cks 
A  wolf  now  gnaws  him,  now  a  serpent  stinsj^s  ; 
While  A{)oplexy  crannned   lntenij)erance  knocks 
Down  to  the  gn;und  at  once,  as  butcher  felleth  ox, 


fit  THE   CASTLE   OF  INDOLEl^CE. 


CANTO  II. 

The  Knights  of  Arts  and  Industrj, 

Aud  his  achievements  fair  ; 

That,  by  this  castle's  overthrow, 

Secured^  and  crownM  were- 

1. 

Escaped  the  castle  of  the  sire  of  sin, 
Ah  !  where  shall  I  so  sweet  a  dwelling  find  ? 
For  all  around,  without,  and  all  within, 
Nothing  save  what  delightful  was  and  kind, 
Of  goodness  savoring  and  a  tender  mind, 
E'er  rose  to  view.     But  now  another  strain, 
Of  doleful  note,  alas  !  remains  behind  : 
I  now  must  sing  of  pleasure  turned  to  pain, 
And  of  the  false  enchanter  Indolence  complain, 

2. 

Is  there  no  patron  to  protect  the  muse, 
And  fence  for  her  Parnassus'  barren  soil  ? 
To  every  labor  its  reward  accrues. 
And  they  are  sure  of  bread  who  swink  and  moil ; 
But  a  fell  tribe  the  Aonian  hive  despoil. 
As  ruthless  wasps  oft  rob  the  painful  bee  : 
Thus  while  the  laws  not  guard  that  noblest  toil, 
Ne  for  the  muses  other  meed  decree, 
They  praised  her  alone,  and  starve  right  merrily. 


I  care  not,  Fortune,  what  you  me  deny  : 
You  cannot  rob  me  of  free  Nature's  grace  ; 
You  cannot  shut  the  windows  of  the  »ky, 
Through  which  Aurora  shows  her  brightening  face . 
You  cannot  bar  my  constant  feet  to  trace 
The  woods  and  lawns,  by  living  stream,  at  eve  : 
Let  healhh  my  nerves  and  finer  fibers  brace, 
And  I  their  toys  to  the  great  children  leave  : 
Of  fancy,  reason,  virtue,  naught  can  me  bereave. 


THE  CASTLE  OF  INDOLEtfCE.  Vt% 


Come  then,  my  muse,  and  raise  a  bolder  song  ; 
Come,  lig  no  more  upon  the  bed  of  sloth, 
Dragging  the  lazy  languid  line  along. 
Fond  to  begin,  but  still  to  finish  loth. 
Thy  half-writ  scrolls  all  eaten  by  the  moth  : 
Arise,  and  sing  that  generous  imp  of  fame, 
Who  with  the  sons  of  softness  noble  wroth, 
To  sweep  away  this  human  lumber  came, 
(^r  in  a  chosen  few  to  rouse  the  slumbering  fiama. 


In  Fairy  Land  there  lived  a  knight  of  old. 
Of  features  stem,  Salvaggio,  well  ycleped, 
A  rough  unpolished  man,  robust  and  bold. 
But  wondrous  poor  :  he  neither  sowed  nor  reaped. 
Ne  stores  in  summer  for  cold  winter  heaped  ; 
In  hunting  all  his  days  away  he  wore  ; 
Now  scorched  by  June,  now  in  November  steeped, 
Now  pinched  by  biting  January  sore. 
He  still  in  woods  pursued  the  libbard  and  the  boar. 

6. 

As  he  one  morning,  long  before  the  dawn, 
Pricked  through  the  forest  to  dislodge  his  prey, 
Deep  in  the  winding  bosom  of  a  lawn. 
With  wood  wild  fringed,  he  marked  a  taper's  ray. 
That  from  the  beating  rain  and  wintry  fray, 
Did  to  a  lonely  cot  his  steps  decoy  ; 
There,  up  to  earn  the  needments  of  the  day 
He  found  dame  Poverty,  nor  fair  nor  coy  : 
Her  he  compressed,  and  filled  her  with  a  lusty  boy. 


Amid  the  greenwood  ?hade  this  boy  was  bred. 
And  grew  at  last  a  knight  of  muchel  fame. 
Of  active  mind  and  vigorous  lustyhed, 
The  Knight  of  Arts  and  Industry  by  name  : 
Earth  was  his  bed,  the  boughs  his  roof  did  frame  { 


i8d  tHE  CASTLE  OF  INDOLENCE. 

He  knew  no  beverage  but  the  flowing  stream  ; 
His  tasteful  well-earned  food  the  sylvan  game. 
Or  the  brown  fruit  with  which  the  woodlands  teem  ; 
The  same  to  him  glad  summer,  or  the  winter  breme.* 


So  passed  his  youthly  morning,  void  of  care. 
Wild  as  the  colts  that  through  the  commons  run: 
For  him  no  tender  parents  troubled  were, 
He  of  the  forest  seemed  to  be  the  son. 
And,  certes,  had  been  utterly  undone  ; 
But  that  Minerva  pity  of  him  took, 
With  all  the  gods  that  love  the  rural  wonne,f 
That  teach  to  tame  the  soil  and  rule  the  crook  ; 
Ne  did  the  sacred  Nine  disdain  a  gentle  look. 

9. 

Of  fertile  genius  him  they  nurtured  well, 
In  every  science,  and  in  every  art, 
By  which  mankind  the  thoughtless  brutes  excel, 
That  can  or  use,  or  joy,  or  grace  impart, 
Disclosing  all  the  powers  of  head  and  heart ; 
Ne  were  the  goodly  exercises  spared, 
That  brace  the  nerves,  or  makes  the  limbs  alert, 
And  mix  elastic  force  with  firmness  hard  : 
Was  never  knight  on  ground  mote  be  with  him  com* 
pared. 

10. 

Sometimes,  with  early  morn,  he  mounted  gay 

The  hunter  steed,  exulting  o'er  the  dale, 

And  drew  the  roseate  breath  of  orient  day  ; 

Sometimes,  retiring  to  the  secret  vale, 

Yclad  in  steel,  and  bright  with  burnished  mail, 

He  strained  the  bow,  or  tossed  the  sounding  spear, 

Or  darting  on  the  goal,  outstripped  the  gale, 


•Pierce,  Furious. 

f  Or  xeoniiff — dwellinf . 


THE   CASTLE    OF  INDOLENCE.  281 

Or  wheeled  the  chariot  in  its  mid  career, 
Or  strenuous  wrestled  hard  with  many  a  tough  com- 
peer. 

11. 

At  other  times  he  pried  through  nature's  store, 
Whate'er  she  in  the  ethereal  round  contains, 
Whate'er  she  hides  beneath  the  verdant  floor, 
The  vegetable  and  the  mineral  reigns  ; 
Or  else  he  scanned  the  globe,  those  small  domains 
Where  restless  mortals  such  a  turmoil  keep, 
Its  seas,  its  floods,  its  mountains,  and  its  plains  ; 
But  more  he  searched  the  mind,  and  roused  from 
sleep 
Those  moral  seeds  whence  we  heroic  actions  reap. 

12. 

Nor  would  he  scorn  to  stoop  from  high  pursuits 
Of  heavenly  truth,  and  practice  what  she  taught ; 
Vain  is  the  tree  of  knowledge  without  fruits  ! 
Sometimes  in  hand  the  spade  or  plow  he  caught. 
Forth  calling  all  with  which  boon  earth  is  fraught ; 
Sometimes  he  plied  the  strong  mechanic  tool. 
Or  reared  the  fabric  from  the  finest  draught ; 
And  oft  he  put  himself  to  Neptune's  school. 
Fighting  with  winds  and  waves  on  the  vexed   ocean 
pooL 

13. 

To  solace  then  these  rougher  toils,  he  tried 
To  touch  the  kindling  canvas  into  life  ; 
With  nature  his  creating  j)encil  vied, 
With  nature  joyous  at  tlie  mimic  strife  : 
Or,  to  such  shapes  as  graced  Pygmalion's  wife 
He  hewed  the  marble  ;  or  with  varied  fire, 
He  roused  the  trumpet,  and  the  uKirtial  fife. 
Or  bade  the  lute  sweet  tenderness  insj>ire, 
Or  verses  framed  that  well  might  wake  Apollo's  lyre 


MB  THE  CASTLE   OF  INDOLENCE, 

14. 

Accomplished  thus,  he  from  the  woods  issued, 
Full  of  great  aims,  and  bent  on  bold  emprise  ; 
The  work,  which  long  he  in  his  breast  had  brewed, 
Now  to  perform  he  ardent  did  devise  ; 
To  wit  a  barbarous  world  to  civilize. 
Earth  was  still  then  a  boundless  forest  wild  ; 
Naught  to  be  seen  but  savage  wood  and  skies ; 
No  cities  nourished  arts,  no  culture  smiled. 
No  government,  no  laws,  no  gentle  manners  mild. 

15. 

A  rugged  wight,  the  worst  of  brute,    was  man  ; 
On  his  own  wretched  kind  he,  ruthless,  preyed  ; 
The  strongest  still  the  weakest  overran  ; 
In  every  country  mighty  robbers  swayed, 
And  guile  and  ruffian  force  were  all  their  trade. 
Life  was  a  scene  of  rapine,  want,  and  woe  ; 
Which  this  brave  knight,  in  noble   anger,  made 
To  swear  he  would  the  rascal  rout  o'erthrow. 
For,  by  the  powers  divine,  it  should  no  more   be   so ! 

16. 

It  would  exceed  the  purport  of  my  song 
To  say  how  this  best  sun  from  orient  clime«, 
Came  beaming  life  and  beauty  all  along. 
Before  him  chasing  indolence  and  crimes. 
Still  as  he  passed,  the  nations  he  sublimes. 
And  calls  forth  arts  and  virtues  with  his  ray  : 
Then  Egypt,  Greece,  and  Rome  their  golden  timee^ 
Successive  had  ;  but  now  in  ruins  gray 
They  lie,  to  slavish  sloth  and  tyranny  a  prey. 

17. 

To  crown  his  toils.  Sir  Industry  then  spread 
The  swelling  sail,  and  made  for  Britain's  coast. 
A  sylvan  life  till  then  the  natives  led, 
In  the  brown  shades  and  greenwood  forest  lost, 
All  careless  rambling  where  it  liked  them  most  \ 


THE   CASTLE   OF  INDOLENCE.  283 

Their  wealth  the  wild  deer  bouncing    through  the 

glade  ; 
They  lodged  at  large,  and  lived  at  native's  cost, 
Save  spear  and  bow,  vrithouten  other  aid 
Fet  not  the  Roman  steel  their  naked  breast  dismayed, 

18. 

He  liked  the  soil,  he  liked  the  clement  skies, 
He  liked  the  verdant  hills  and  flowery  plains  : 
"  Be  this  my  great,  my  chosen  isle,"  he  cries, 
"  This,  whilst  my  labors  Liberty  sustains, 
This  queen  of  oceans  all  assault  disdains." 
Nor  liked  he  less  the  genius  of  the  land, 
To  freedom  apt  and  persevering  pains. 
Mild  to  obey,  and  generous  to  command. 
Tempered  by  forming   Heaven  with   kindest   firmest 
hand, 

19. 

Here,  by  degrees,  his  master- work  arose, 
Whatever  arts  and  industry  can  frame  ; 
Whatever  finished  agriculture  knows. 
Fair  queen  of  arts  !  from  heaven  itself   who   caake, 
When  Eden  flourished  in  unspotted  fame  ; 
And  still  with  her  sweet  innocence  we  find, 
And  tender  peace,  and  joys  witliout  a  name. 
That,  while  they  ravish,  tranquillize  the  mind  : 
Nature  and  art  at  once,  delight  and  use  combined. 

20, 

Then  towns  he  quickened  by  mechanic  arts, 
And  bade  the  fervent  city  glow  with  toil  ; 
Bade  social  commerce  raise  renowned  marts, 
Join  land  to  land,  and  marry  soil  to  soil  ; 
Unite  the  poles,  and  without  bloody  spoil 
Bring  home  of  either  Ind  the  gorgeous  stores  } 
Or,  should  despotic  rage  the  world  embroil, 
Bade  tyrants  tremble  on  remotest  shores, 
While  o'er  the    encircling  deep  Britannia's    tbuadey 
roars. 


tti  THE  CASTLE  OF  INDOLENCE. 

21. 

The  drooping  muses  then  he  westward  called, 
From  the  famed  city  by  Propontic  sea, 
What  time  the  Turk  the  enfeebled  Grecian   thrall- 
ed ; 
Thence  from  their  cloistered  walks  he  set  them  free. 
And  brought  them  to  another  Castalie, 
Where  Isis  many  a  famous  nursling  breeds  ; 
Or  where  old  Cam  soft-paces  o'er  the  lea 
In  pensive  mood,  and  tunes  his  Doric  reeds 
The  whilst  his  flocks  at  large  the  lonely  shepherd  feedi. 

33. 

Yet  the  fine  arts  were  what  he  finished  least. 

For  why  ?     They  are  the  quintessence  of  all, 

The  growth  of  laboring  time,  and    slow  increased  ; 

Unless,  as  seldom  chances,  it  should  fall 

That  mighty  patrons  the  coy  sisters  call 

Up  1o  the  sunshine  of  uncumbered  ease 

Where  no  rude  care  the  mounting   thought   may 

thrall, 
And  where  they  nothing  have  to  do  but  please  : 
Ah  1  gracious  God  !  thou  knowest  they  ask  no  other 
fees. 

23. 

But  now,  alas  !  we  live  too  late  in  time  . 
Our  patrons  now  e'en  grudge  that  little  claim, 
Except  to  such  as  sleek  the  soothing  rhyme  ; 
And  yet,  forsooth,  they  wear  Maecenas'  name, 
Poor  sons  of  puft-up  vanity,  not  fame. 
Unbroken  spirits,  cheer  !  still,  still  remains 
The  eternal  patron,  Liberty  ;  whose  flame, 
While  she  protects,  inspires  the  noblest  strains: 
The  best  and  sweetest  far,  are  toil-created  gains. 

24. 

When  as  the  knight  had  framed,  in  Britain-land, 
A  matchless  form  of  glorious  government, 


THE  CASTLE  OF  INDOLENCE.  886 

In  which  the  sovereign  laws  alone  command, 
Laws,  'stablished  by  the  public  free  consent. 
Whose  majesty  is  to  the  scepter  lent  ; 
When  this  great  plan,  Avilh  each  dependent  art, 
Was  settled  firm,  and  to  his  heart's  content, 
Then  sought  lit;  from  the  toilsome  scene  to  part, 
And  let  life's  vacant  eve  breathe  quiet  through  the 
heart. 

25. 

For  this  he  chose  a  farm  in  Deva's  vale. 
Where  his  long  alleys  peeped  upon  the  main  : 
In  this  calm  seat  he  drew  the  healthful  gale, 
Here  mixed  the  chief,  the  patriot,  and  the  swain. 
The  happy  monarch  of  his  sylvan  train, 
Here,  sided  by  the  guai'dians  of  the  fold, 
He  walked  his  rounds,  and  cheered  his  blest  domain  : 
His  days^  the  days  of  unstained  nature,  rolled 
Replete  with  peace  and  joy,  like  patriarchs,  of  old. 

26. 

Witness,  ye  lowing  herds,  who  gave  him  milk  ; 
Witness  ye  flocks,  whose  woolly  vestments  far 
Exceeded  soft  India's  cotton,  or  her  silk  ; 
Witness  with  Autumn  charged  the  nodding  car, 
That  homeward  came  beneath  sweet  evening's  star, 
Or  of  September-moons  the  radiance  mild. 
O  hide  thy  head,  abominable  war  ! 
Of  crimes  and  ruffian  idleness  the  child  ! 
From  heaven  this   life   y sprung,   from  hell  thy  glo. 
ries  viled  ! 

27. 

Nor  from  his  deep  retirement  banished  was 

The  amusing  care  of  rural  industry. 

Still,  as  witii  grateful  (•li;ui<^r(.  tjie  seasons  pass, 

New  sc(iTies  arise,  new  landscapes  strike  the  eye, 

And  all  the  fnlivencd  count  ry  lu-autify  ; 

Gay  jilains  extend  where  inarslies  sl(;pt  before  ; 

O'er  recent  meads  the  exultant  streamlets  fly  j 


388  THE  ca::tle  of  indolence. 

Dark  frowning  heaths  grow  bright  with  Ceres'  store, 
And  woods  imbrown  the  steep,  or  wave  along  the 
shore. 

28. 

As  nearer  to  his  farm  you  made  approach. 
He  polished  Nature  with  a  finer  hand  ; 
Yet  on  her  beauties  durst  not  art  encroach  ; 
'Tis  art's  alone  these  beauties  to  expand. 
In  graceful  dance  immingled,  o'er  the  land. 
Pan,  Panes,  Flora,  and  Pomona  played  ; 
Here,  too,  brisk  gales  the  rude  wild  common  fanned, 
A  happy  place  ;  where  free,  and  unafraid, 
Amid    the    flowering    brakes    each    coyer    creature 
strayed. 

29. 

But  in  prime  vigor  what  can  last  for  aye  ? 
That  soul-enfeebling  wizard  Indolence, 
I  whilom  sung,  wrought  in  his  works  decay. 
Spread  far  and  wide  was  his  cursed  influence  ; 
Of  public  virtue  much  he  dulled  the  sense. 
E'en  much  of  private  ;  eat  our  spirit  out. 
And  fed  our  rank  luxurious  vices  :  whence 
The  land  was  overlaid  with  many  a  lout ; 
Not,  as  old  fame  reports,  wise,  generous,  bold,  and 
stout. 

30. 

A.  rage  of  pleasure  maddened  every  breast ; 

Down  to  the  lowest  lees  the  ferment  ran  ; 

To  his  licentious  wish  each  must  be  blessed, 

With  joy  be  fevered,  snatch  it  as  he  can. 

Thus  vice  the  standard  reared  ;  her  arrier-ban 

Corruption  called,  and  loud  she  gave  the  word, 

"  Mind,  mind  yourselves  !  why  should   the  vulgai 

man, 
The  lacquey  be  more  virtuous  than  his  lord  ? 
Knjoy  this  span  of  life  !  'tis  all  the  gods  afford," 


THE  CASTLE  OF  INDOLENCE.  SSt 

31. 

The  tidings  reached  to  where,  in  quiet  hall, 
The  good  old  knight  enjoyed  well  earned  repose  ; 
"  Come,  come,  sir  knight  !  thy  children  on  thee  call  j 
Come,  save  us  yet,  e'er  ruin  round  us  close  ! 
The  demon  Indolence  thy  toils  o'erthrows." 
On  this  the  noble  color  stained  his  cheeks, 
Indignant,  glowing  through  the  whitening  snows 
Of  venerable  eld  ;  his  eye  full  speaks 
His  ardent  soul,  and  from  his  couch  at  once  he  breaks. 

32. 

"  I  will,"  he  cried,  "  so  help  me,  God  !  destroy 
That  villain  Archimage."     His  page  then  straight 
He  to  him  called  ;  a  fiery-footed  boy, 
Benempt  Dispatch  :  —  "  My  steed  be  at  the  gate  ; 
My  bard  attend  ;  quick,  bring  the  net  of  fate." 
This  net  was  twisted  by  the  sisters  three  ; 
Which,  when  once  cast  o'er  hardened  wretch,  too 

late 
Repentance  comes  ;  replevy  cannot  be 
From  the  strong  iron  grasp  of  vengeful  destiny. 

33. 

He  came,  the  bard,  a  little  druid  wight. 
Of  witliered  aspect  ;  but  his  eye  was  keen. 
With  sweetness  mixed.     In  russet  brown  bedight, 
As  is  his  sister  oi  the  copies  green, 
He  crept  along,  unpromising  of  mien. 
Gross  he  who  judges  so.     His  soul  was  fair, 
Bright  as  the  children  of  yon  azure  sheen  ! 
True  comeliness,  which  nothirg  can  inij)air. 
Dwells  in  the  mind  :  all  eke  is  vanity  and  glare. 

34. 

*Come,"   quoth  the  knight,  "  a  voice   has  reached 

mine  ear  : 
The  demon  Indolence  throats  overflow 
To  all  that  to  mankind  is  good  and  dear  • 


368  THE  CASTLE  OF  mDOLENCR. 

Come,  Philomelas  ;  let  us  instant  go, 
O'erturn  his  bowers,  and  lay  his  castle  low. 
Those  men,  those  wretched  men  !  who  will  be  slaves 
Must  drink  a  bitter  wrathful  cup  of  woe  : 
But  some  there  be,  thy  song,  as  from  their  graves. 
Shall  raise."     Thrice   happy   he  !  who  without   rigoi 
saves. 

85. 

Issuing  forth,  the  knight  bestrode  his  steed, 

Of  ardent  bay,  and  on  whose  front  a  star 

Shone  blazing  bright  ;  sprung  from   the  generoiu 

breed 
That  whirl  of  active  day  the  rapid  car. 
He  pranced  along,  disdaining  gate  or  bar. 
Meantime,  the  bard  on  milk-white  palfrey  rode  j 
An  honest  sober  beast,  that  did  not  mar 
His  meditations,  but  full  softly  trode  : 
!Lnd  much  they  moralized  as  thus  yfere  they  yode. 

36. 

They  talked  of  virtue,  and  of  human  bliss. 
What  else  so  fit  for  man  to  settle  wall  ? 
And  still  their  long  researches  met  in  this. 
This  Truth  of  Truths,  which  notliing  can  refel  : 
"  From  virtue's  fount  the  purest  joys  outwell. 
Sweet  rills    of   thought  that  cheer    the    conscioui 

soul  ; 
While  vice  pours  forth  the  troubled  streams  of  hell, 
The  which,  howe'er  disguised,  at  last  with  dole 
Will  through  the  tortured  breast  their  fiery  torrent 

roll." 

37. 

At  length  it  dawned,  that  fatal  valley  gay 

O'er  which  high  wood-crowned   hills  their   summitJ 

rear  : 
On  the  cool  height  awhile  our  palmers  stay. 
And  spite  even  of  themselves  their  senses  cheer  ; 


THE  CASTLE  OF  INDOLENCE.  SSII 

Then  to  the  wizard's  wonne  their  steps   they   steer, 
Like  a  green  isle,  it  broad  beneath  them  spread, 
With  gardens  round,  and  wandering  currents  clear, 
And  tufted  groves  to  shade  the  meadow-bed, 
Sweet  airs  and  song  ;  and  without   hurry   all   Beemed 
glad. 

38. 

"As  God  shall   judge   me,   knight!  we  must  for- 
give," 
The  half-enraptured  Philomelus  cried, 
"  The  frail  good  man  deluded  here  to  live, 
And  in  these  groves  his  musing  fancy  hide. 
Ah  !  naught  is  pure.     It  cannot  be  denied. 
That  virtue  still  some  tincture  has  of  vice, 
And  vice  of  virtue.     What  should  then  betid^ 
But  that  our  charity  be  not  too  nice  ? 
Come,  let  us  those  we  can,  to  real  bliss  entice." 

39. 

"  Ay,  sicker,"  quoth  the  knight,  "  All  flesh  is   frail, 
To  pleasant  sin  and  joyous  dalliance  bent ; 
But  let  not  brutish  vice  of  this  avail, 
And  think  to  'scape  deservod  punishment. 
Justice  were  cruel  weakly  to  relent  ; 
From  mercy's  self  she  got  her  sacred  glaive  : 
Grace  be  to  those  who  can,  and  will,  repent ; 
But  penance  loTig,  and  dreary,  to  the  slave, 
Who  must  in  floods  of  ire  his  gross  foul  spirit  lave. 

40. 

Thus,  holding  high  discourse,  they  came  to  whert 

The  cursed  carl  was  at  his  wonted  trade  ; 

Still  teni]>ting  heedless  men  into  \\'\^  H?iare, 

In  witching  wise,  as  I  before  have  said. 

But  when  he  saw,  in  goodly  geer  arrayed. 

The  grave  majestic  knight  approaching  nigh, 

And  by  his  side  the  bard  so  sage  and  staid, 


ddO  TUB  CASTLE  OF  tTDOLENCE. 

His  countenance  fell ;  yet  oft  his  anxious  eye 
Marked  them,  like  wily  fox  who  roosted  cock  dotb 
spy. 

41. 

Nathless,  with  feigned  respect,  he  bade  give  back 
The  rabble  rout,  and  welcomed  them  full  kind  ; 
Struck  with  the  noble  twain,  they  were  not  slack 
His  orders  to  obey,  and  fall  behind. 
Then  he  resumed  his  song  ;  and,  unconfined. 
Poured  all  his  music,  ran  through  all  his  strings : 
With  magic  dust  their  eyne  he  tries  to  blind, 
And  virtue's  tender  airs  o'er  weakness  flings. 
What  pity  base  his  song  who  so  divinely  sings  J 

42. 

Elate  in  thought,  he  counted  them  his  own. 
They  listened  so  intent  with  fixed  delight  : 
But  they  instead,  as  if  transmewed  to  stone, 
Marveled  he  could  with  such  sweet  art  unite 
The  lights  and  shades  of  manners,  wrong  or   right. 
Meantime,  the  silly  crowd  the  cliarm  devour. 
Wide  pressing  to  the  gate.     Swift,  on  the  knight 
He  darted  fierce,  to  drag  him  to  his  bower. 
Who  backening  shunned  his  touch,  for  well  he   knew 
its  power. 

43. 

As  in  thronged  amphitheater,  of  old, 
The  wary  Retiarius  trapped  his  foe  ; 
E'en  so  the  knight,  returning  on  him  bold. 
At  ouce  involved  him  in  the  Net  of  Woe, 
Whereof  I  mention  made  not  long  ago. 
Inraged  at  first,  he  scorned  so  weak  a  jail, 
And  leaped,  and  flew,  and  flounced  to  and  fro  ; 
But  when  he  found  t!iat  nothing  could  avail, 
He  8at  him  felly  down,  and  gnawed  his  bitter  nail. 


THE  CASTLE  OF  INDOLENCE  961 

44. 

Alarmed,  the  inferior  demons  of  the  place 

Raised  rueful  shrieks  and  hideous  yells  around  ; 

Black  stormy  clouds  deformed  the  welkin's  face. 

And  from  beneath  was  heard  a  wailinn;  sound, 

As  of  infernal  sprights  in  cavern  bound  ; 

A  solemn  sadness  every  creature  strook, 

And     lightnings    flashed,  and    horror   rocked   the 

ground  ; 
Huge  crowds  on  crowds  outpoured  with   blemished 
look, 
As  if  on  time's  last  verge  this  frame    of  things   had 
shook. 

45. 

Soon  as  the  short-lived  tempest  was  yspent, 
Steamed  from  the  jaws  of  vexed  Avernus' hole. 
And  hushed  the  hubbub  of  the  rabblement, 
Sir  Industry  the  first  calm  moment  stole  : 
"  There  must,"  he  cried,  "  amid  so  vast  a  shoal, 
Be  some  who  are  not  tainted  at  the  heart. 
Not  poisoned  quite  by  this  same  villain's  bowl  : 
Come  then,  my  bard,  thy  heavenly  fire  impart  ; 
Touch  soul  with  scul,  till  forth  the  latent  spirit  start." 

46. 

The  bard  obeyed  ;  and  taking  from  his  side 
Where  it  in  seemly  sort  depending  hung, 
His  British  harp,  its  speaking  strings  he  tried. 
The  which  with  skillful  toucli  he  deftly  strung, 
Till  tinkling  in  clear  8ymj)liony  they  rung. 
Then,  as  he  felt  the  muses  come  along, 
Light  o'er  the  chords  his  ruptured  hand  he  flung, 
And  played  a  prelude  to  liis  rising  song  : 
The  whilst,  like  midnight  mute,  ten  thousand  round 
him  throng. 

47. 

Thus,  ardent  burst,  his  strain. —  "  Ye  hapless  race, 
Dire  laboring  here  to  smother  reason's  ray, 


M9  THE  CASTLE  OF  INDOLEIfCS.  ♦ 

That  lights  our  Maker's  image  in  our  face, 
And  gives  us  wide  o'er  earth  unquestioned  sway, 
What  is  the  adored  Supreme  Perfection,  say  ?  — 
What,  but  eternal  never-resting  soul, 
Almighty  Power,  and  all-dii'ccting  day  ; 
By  whom  each  atom  stirs,  the  planets  roll  ; 
Who  fills,  surrounds,  informs,  and  agitates  the  whole. 

48. 

**  Come,  to  the  beaming  God  your  hearts  unfold  I 
Draw  from  its  fountain  life  !  'Tis  thence,  alone, 
We  can  excel.     Up  from  unfeeling  mold. 
To  seraphs  burning  round  the  Almighty's  throne, 
Life  rising  still  on  life,  in  higher  tone, 
Perfection  forms,  and  with  perfection  bliss. 
In  universal  nature  this  clear  shown. 
Not  needeth  proof  :  to  prove  it  were,  I  wis. 
To  prove  the  beauteous  world  excels  the  brute  abyss. 

49. 

"Is  not  the  field,  with  lively  culture  green, 
A  sight  more  joyous  than  the  dead  morass? 
Do  not  the  skies,  with  active  ether  clean. 
And  fanned  by  sprightly  zephyrs,  far  surpass 
The  foul  November  fogs,  and  slumbrous  mass 
With  which  sad  Nature  veils  her  drooping  face  ? 
Does  not  the  mountain  stream,  as  cleai-  as  glass, 
Gay-dancing  on,  the  putrid  ])Ool  disgrace  ? 
The  same  in  all  holds  true,  but  chief  in  human  race. 

50. 

"  It  was  not  by  vile  loitering  in  case. 
That  Greece  obtained  the  brighter  palm  of  art ; 
That  soft  yet  ardent  Athens  learned  to  please, 
To  keen  the  wit,  and  to  sublime  the  heart. 
In  all  supreme  !  complete   in  every  part ! 
It  was  not  thence  majestic  Home  arose. 
And  o'er  the  nations  shook  her  conquering  dart  : 
For  sluggard's  brow  the  laurel  never  grows  ; 
Renown  is  not  the  child  of  indolent  Repose. 


TSM  CASTLE  OF  INDOLENCE.  29;j 

51. 

"  Had  unambitious  mortals  minded  naught. 
But  in  loose  joy  their  time  to  wear  away  ; 
Had  they  alone  the  lap  of  dalliance  sought, 
Pleased  on  her  pillow  their  dull  lieads  to  lay, 
Rude  nature's  state  had  been  our  state  to-day  ; 
No  cities  e'er  their  towery  fronts  had  raised, 
No  arts  had  made  us  opulent  and  gay 
With  brother-brutes  the  human  race  had  grazed  ; 
None  e'er  had  soared  to  fame,  none  honored  been, 
none  praised. 

62. 

"  Great  Homer's  song  had  never  fired  the  breast 
To  thirst  of  glory  and  heroic  deeds  ; 
Sweet  Maro's  muse,  sunk  in  inglorious  rest. 
Had  slept  amid  the  Mincian  reeds  ; 
The  wits  of  modern  time  had  told  their  beads. 
And  monkish  legends  been  their  only  strains  ; 
Our  Milton's  Eden  had  lain  wrapt  in  weeds, 
Our  Shakespeare  strolled  and  laughed  with  War* 
wick  swains, 
Ne  had  my  master  Spenser  charmed  his  Mulla's  plains. 

53. 

"  Dumb  too  had  been  the  sage  historic  muse, 
And  perished  all  the  sons  of  ancient  fame  ; 
Those  starry  lights  of  virtue,  that  diffuse 
Through  the  dark  depth  of  time  their  vivid  flams^ 
Had  all  been  lost  with  such  as  have  no  name. 
Who  then  had  scorned  his  ease  for  others'  good? 
Who  then  had  toiled  rapacnous  men  to  tame  ? 
Who  in  the  public  l)reach  devoted  stood, 
And  for  his  country's  cause  been  j)rodigal  of  blood? 

54. 

"  But  should  to  fame  your  hearts  unfeeling  be, 
If  right  I  read,  you  pleasure  all  re(}uire  ; 
Then  hear  how  best  may  be  obtained  this  fee, 


iU  THE  CASTLE  OF  INDOLENCE. 

How  best  enjoyed  this  nature's  wide  desire. 
Toil  and  be  glad  !  let  industry  inspire 
Into  your  quickened  limbs  her  buoyant  breath  j 
Who  does  not  act  is  dead  ;  absorbed  entire 
In  miry  sloth,  no  pride,  no  joy  he  hath  : 
O  leaden-hearted  men,  to  be  in  love  with  death  1 

55. 

"  Ah  !  what  avail  the  largest  gifts  of  heaven, 
When  drooping  health  and  spirits  go  amiss  ? 
How  tasteless  then  whatever  can  be  given  ? 
Health  is  the  vital  principle  of  bliss. 
And  exercise  of  health.     In  proof  of  this. 
Behold  the  wretch,  who  slugs  his  life  away, 
Soon  swallowed  in  disease's  sad  abyss  ; 
While  he  whom  toil  has  braced,  or  manly  play. 
Has  light  as  air  each  limb,  each  thought  as  clear  as 
day. 

56. 

"  O  who  can  speak  the  vigorous  joys  of  health  I 
Unclogged  the  body,  unobscured  the  mind  : 
The  morning  rises  gay,  with  pleasing  stealth, 
The  temperate  evening  falls  serene  and  kind. 
In  health  the  wiser  brutes  true  gladness  find  : 
See  !  how  the  younglings  frisk  along  the  meads, 
As  May  comes  on,  and  waives  the  balmy  wind  ; 
Rampart  with  life  their  joy  all  joy  exceeds  ; 
Yet  what  but  high-strung  health  this  dancing  pleas, 
aunce  breeds  ? 

57. 

"  But  here,  instead,  is  fostered  every  ill. 
Which  or  distempered  minds  or  bodies  know. 
Come  then,  my  kindred  spirits  !  do  not  spill 
Your  talents  here  :  this  place  is  but  a  show, 
Whose  charms  delude  you  to  the  den  of  woe. 
Come,  follow  me,  I  will  direct  you  right, 
Where  pleasure's  roses,  void  of  serpents,  grow. 


THE  CASTLE  OF  INDOLENCE.  295 

Sincere  as  sweet  ;  come,  follow  this  good  knight, 
And  you  will  bless  the  day  that  brought  him  to   your 
sight. 

58. 
"  Some  he  will  lead  to  courts,  and  some  to  camps, 
To  senate  some,  and  public  sage  debates, 
Where,  by  the  solemn  gleam  of  midnight  lamp^ 
The  world  is  poised,  and  managed  mighty  state; 
To  high  discovery  some,  that  new  creates 
The  face  of  earth  ;  some  to  the  thriving  mart  ; 
Some  to  the  rural  reign,  and  softer  fates  ; 
To  the  sweet  muses  some,  who  raise  the  lieart  : 
A.11  glory  shall  be  yours,  all  nature,  and  all  art  1 

59. 
"  There  are,  I  see,  who  listen  to  my  lay. 
Who  wretched  sigh  for  virtue,  but  despair  : 

*  All  may  be   done,'  methinks  I  hear  them  say, 

*  E'en   death  despised  by  generous  actions  fair  ; 
All,  but  for  those  who  to  tliese  bowers  repair, 
Their  every  power  dissolved  in  luxury. 

To  quit  of  torpid  sluggishness  the  lair. 
And  from  the  powerful  arms  of  sloth  get  free  : 
*Tig  rising  from  the  dead  —  Alas  !  —  it  cannot  be  I' 

60. 
"  Would  you  then  learn  to  dissipate  the  band 
Of  the  huge  threatening  difficulties  dire, 
That  in  the  weak  man's  way  like  lions  stand, 
His  soul  appall,  and  damp  his  rising  fire  ? 
Resolve,  resolve,  and  to  be  men  aspire. 
Exert  that  noblest  privilege,  alone 
Here  to  mankind  indulged  ;  control  desire  ; 
Let  (xodlike  reason,  from  her  sovereign  throne, 
Roeak  the  commanding  word  '  I  will  ! '  and  it  is  done. 

61. 
"  Heavens  !  can  you  then   thus  waste,  in    shameful 

wise, 
four  few  important  days  of  trial  here  ? 


tM  THE  CASTLE  OF  INDOLENCE. 

Heirs  of  eternity  !  yborn  to  rise 

Through  endless  states  of  being,  still  more  near 

To  bliss  approaching,  and  perfection  clear  ; 

Can  you  renounce  a  fortune  so  sublime, 

Such  glorious  hopes  your  backward  steps  to    steer, 

And    roll,    Avith   vilest   brutes,  through   mud   and 

slime  ? 
Ko  !  No  !  —  Your  heaven-touched  hearts  disdain  the 

sordid  crime  ! " 

62. 

Enough  !  enough  !  "  they  cried  —  straight,  from  the 

crowd, 
The  better  sort  on  wings  of  transport  fly  : 
As  when  amid  the  lifeless  summits  proud 
Of  Alpine  cliffs  where  to  the  gelid  sky 
Snows  piled  on  snows  in  wintry  torpor  lie. 
The  rays  divine  of  vernal  Phoebus  play  ; 
The  awakened  heaps,  in  streamlets  from  on  high, 
Roused  into  action,  lively  leap  away. 
Glad  warbling  through  the  vales,  in  their   new  being 

gay- 

63. 

Not  less  the  life,  the  vivid  joy  serene, 
That  lighted  up  these  new  created  men, 
Than  that  which  wings  the  exulting  spirit  clean 
When,  just  delivered  from  this  fleshy  den. 
It  soaring  seeks  its  native  skies  agen  : 
How  light  its  essence  !  how  unclogged  its  powers, 
Beyond  the  blazon  of  my  luortal  pen  ! 
E'en  so  we  glad  forsook  these  sinful  j)0wer8. 
E'en  such  enraptured  life,  such  energy  was  ours. 

64. 

But  far  the  greater  part,  with  rage  inflamed, 
Dire-muttered   curses,  and  blasphomoil    high  Jove  : 
"  Ye  sons  of  hate  !  "  they  bitterly  exclaimed, 
"  What  brought  you  to  this  seat  of  peace  and  love  ? 


TBX  CASTLE  OF  INDOLENCi.  Wt 

Wliile  with  kind  nature,  here  amid  the  grove, 
We  passed  the  harmless  sabbath  of  our  time, 
What  to  disturb  it  could,  fell  men,  emove 
Your  barbarous  heart  ?     Is  hapjiiness  a  crime  ? 
Then  do  the  fiends  of  hell  rule  in   yon  heaven    sub- 
lime." 

65. 

"  Ye  impious  wretches,"  quoth  the  knight  in  wrath, 
"  Your    happiness    behold  !  "  —  Then    straight     ft 

wand 
He  waved,  an  anti-magic  power  that  hath, 
Truth  from  illusive  falsehood  to  command. 
Sudden  the  landscape  sinks  on  every  hand  ; 
The  pure  quick  streams  are  marshy  puddles  found  ; 
On  baleful  heaths  the  groves  all  blackened   stand  ; 
And  o'er  the  weedy  foul  abhorriid  ground, 
Snakes,  adders,  toads,  each  loathsome  creature  crawli 
around. 

66. 

And  here  and  there,  on  trees  by  lightning   scathed. 
Unhappy  wights  who  loathed  life  yhung  ; 
Or,  in  fresh  gore  and  recent  murder  bathed, 
They  weltering  lay  ;  or  else,  infuriate  flung 
Into  the  gloomy  flood,  while  ravens  sung 
The  funeral  dirge,  they  down  the  torrent  rolled  : 
These,  by  distempered  blood  to  madness  stung. 
Had  doomed  themselves  ;  whence  oft,  when   night 
controlled 
The  world,  returning  hither  their  sad  spirits   howled. 

67. 

Meantime  a  moving  scene  was  open  laid  ; 
That  lazar-liouse,  I  whilom  in  niy  lay 
Dfp.iinted  have,  its  horrors  deep  displayed. 
And  give  iiiinuinbereri  wretches  to  tlie  day. 
Who  tossing  there  in  scpialid  misery  lay. 
Soon  as  of  sacred  light  the  unwonted  smile 


8W  THE   CASTLE  OF  INDOLENCE, 

Poured  on  these  living  catacombs  its  ray, 
Through  the  drear  caverns,  stretching  many  a  mil. 
The  sick  upraised  their  heads,  and  dropped  their  woes 
awhile. 

68. 

"  O  heaven  ! "  they  cried,  "  and  do  we  once  more  see 
Yon  blessed  sun,  and  this  green  eartli  so  fair  ? 
Are  we  from  noisome  damps  of  pesthouse  free  ? 
And  drink  our  souls  the  sweet  ethereal  air  ? 
Oh  thou  !  or  night,  or  god  !  who  boldest  there 
That  liend,  oh  keep  him  in  eternal  chains  ! 
But  what  for  us,  the  children  of  despair. 
Brought  to  the  brink  of  hell,  what  hope   remains  ? 
Repentance  does  itself  but  aggravate  our  pains." 

69. 

The  gentle  knight,  who  saw  their  rueful  case, 
Let  fall  adown  his  silver  beard  some  tears. 
"  Certes,"  quoth  he,  "  it  is  not  e'en  in  grace, 
To  undo  the  past,  and  eke  your  broken  years  : 
Nathless,  to  nobler  worlds  repentance  rears, 
With  humble  hope,  her  eye  ;  to  her  is  given 
A  power  the  truly  contrite  heart  that  cheers  ; 
She  quells  the  brand  by  which  the  rocks  are  riven  ; 
She  more  than  merely  softens,  she  rejoices  heaven. 

70. 

"  Then  patient  bear  the  sufferings  you  have  earned, 
And  by  these  sufferings  purify  the  mind  ; 
Let  wisdom  be  by  })ast  misconduct  learned  ; 
Or  pious  die,  with  penitence  resigned, 
And  to  a  life  more  happy  and  refined, 
Doubt  not,  you  shall,  new  creatures,  yet  arise. 
Till  then,  you  may  expect  in  me  to  find 
One  who  will  wipe  your  sorrow  from  your  eyes, 
One  who  will  soothe  your  pangs,  and  wing  you  to  the 
skies.'* 


THE  CASTLE  OF  INDOLENCE.  M« 

71. 

They  silent  heard,  and  poured  their  tlianks  in  tears  : 
"For  you,"  resumed  the  kniirlit  witli  sterner  tone, 
"  Whose  hard  dry  hearts  the  obdurate  demon  sears 
That  villain's  gifts  will  cause  you  inmiy  a  groan  ; 
In  dolorous  mansion  long  you  must  l)einoan 
His  fatal  charms,  and  weep  your  sl:iiiis  away  ; 
Till,  soft  and  pure  as  infant  goodness  grown, 
You  feel  a  perfect  change  :  then,  who  can  say 
What  grace  may  yet  shine  forth  in  heaven's  eternal 
day  ?  » 

72. 

This  said,  his  powerful  wand  he  waved  anew  : 
Instant  a  glorious  angel  train  descends, 
The  Charities,  to  wit,  of  rosy  hue  ; 
Sweet  love  their  looks  a  gentle  radiance  lends, 
And  with  seraphic  flame  compassion  blends. 
At  once,  delighted,  to  their  charge  they  fly  : 
When  lo  !  a  goodly  hospital  ascends  ; 
In  which  they  bade  each  lenient  aid  be  nigh, 
That  could  the  sick-bed  smooth  of  that  said  company 

73. 

It  was  a  worthy  edifying  sight. 

And  gives  to  human  kind  peculiar  grace, 

To  see  kind  hands  attending  day  and  night, 

W^ith  tender  ministry,  from  })lac('  to  jilace. 

Some  prop  the  head  ;  some,  from  the  ))allid  face 

Wipe  off  the  faint  cold  dews  weak  nature  slieds  ; 

Some   reach   the   healing  draught  ;  the    whilst,   to 

chase 
The  fear  supreme,  around  their  softened  beds, 
Some  holy  man   by  prayer  all   ojjening  heaven  dis 

preds. 

74. 

Attended  by  a  grand  acclaiming  train. 
Of  those  he  rescued  had  from  gaping  liell. 
Then  turned  the  ktiight  ;  and,  to  his  hall  again 


800  THE  CASTLE  OF  INDOLENCE. 

Soft-pacing,  sought  of  peace  the  mossy  cell : 
Yet  down  his  cheeks  the  gems  of  pity  fell, 
To  see  the  helpless  wretches  that  remained. 
There  left  through  delves  and  deserts  dire  to  yell  ; 
Amazed,  their  looks  with  pale  dismay  were  stained, 
And  spreading  wide  their  hands  they  meek  repen- 
tance feigned. 

75. 

But  ah  !  their  scorned  day  of  grace  was  past : 

For,  horrible  to  tell  !  a  desert  wild 

Before  them  stretched,  bare,  comfortless,  and  vast ; 

With  gibbets,  bones,  and  carcasses  defiled. 

There  nor  trim  field,  nor  lively  culture  smiled  ; 

Nor  waving  shade  was  seen,  nor  fountain  fair: 

But  sands  abrupt  on  sands  lay  loosely  piled, 

Through  which  they  floundering  toiled  with  pain- 
ful care, 
Whilst  Phoebus  smote  thera  sore,  and  fired  the  cloud- 
less air, 

76. 

Then,  varying  to  a  joyless  land  of  bogis, 

The  saddened  country  a  gray  mist  appeared  ; 

Where  naught  but  putrid  streams  and  noisome  fogs 

Forever  hung  on  drizzly  Auster's  beard  ; 

Or  else  the  ground,  by  piercing  Caurus  soared, 

Was  jagged  with  frost,  or  heaped  with  glazed  snow  ; 

Through   these    extremes  a  ceaseless  round    they 

steered. 
By  cruel  fiends  still  hurried  to  and  fro. 
Gaunt  beggary,   and   scorn,    with  many  hell-hounds 

moe. 

77. 

The  first  was  with  base  dunghill  rags  yclad. 
Tainting  the  gale,  in  which  they  fluttered  light  ; 
Of  morbid  hue  his  features,  sunk  and  ^ad  ; 
Hia  hoUow  eyne  shook  forth  a  sickly  light  ; 


THE  CASTLE  OF  INDOLENCE.  301 

And  o'er  his  lank  jawbone,  in  piteous  plight, 
His  black  rough  beard  was  matted  rank  and  vile  ; 
Direful  to  see  !  a  heart-appalling  sight  ! 
Meantime  foul  scurf  and  blotches  him  defile  ; 
And  dogs,   where'er   he   went,  still  barked   all   the 
while. 

78. 

The  other  was  a  fell  despiteful  fiend  ; 
Hell  holds  none  worse  in  baleful  bower  below  ; 
By  pride,  and  wit,  and  rage,  and  rancor,  keened ; 
Of  man  alike,  if  good  or  bad,  the  foe  ; 
With  nose  upturned,  he  always  made  a  show 
As  if  he  smelt  some  nauseous  scent  ;  his  eye 
Was  cold,  and  keen,  like  blast  from  boreal  snow  ; 
And  taunts  he  casten  forth  most  bitterly. 
Such  were  the  twain  that  offdrove  this  ungodly  fry. 

79. 

E'en  so  through  Brentford  town,  a  town  of  mud, 

A  herd  of  bristly  swine  is  pricked  along  ; 

The  filthy  beasts,  that  never  chew  the  cud, 

Still    grunt,  and   squeak,  and    sing  their   troubloud 

song. 
And  oft  they  plunge  themselves  the  mire  among  : 
But  aye  the  ruthless  driver  goads  them  on, 
And  aye  of  barking  dogs  the  bitter  tlirong 
Makes  them  renew  their  unmelodious  moan  ; 
Ne  ever  find  they  rest  from  their  unresting  foMC. 


sot  MISCELLANEOUS, 


MISCELLANEOUS. 


A  POETICAL  EPISTLE  TO  SIR  WM.    RENNET, 
BART.,  OF  GRUBBAT.  * 

My  trembling  muse  your  honor  does  address, 
That  it's  a  bold  attempt  ii^ost  humbly  I  confess  ; 
If  you'll  encourage  her  young  fagging  flight. 
She'll  upwards  sore  and  mount  Parnassus'  height. 
If  little  things  with  great  may  be  compared, 
In  Rome  it  so  with  the  divine  Virgil  fared  ; 
The  tuneful  bard  Augustus  did  inspire, 
Made  his  great  genius  flash  poetic  fire  ; 
But  if  upon  ray  flight  your  honor  frowns. 
The  muse  folds   up  her    wings,    and  dying — justice 
owns. 


LISY'S  PARTING  WITH  HER  CAT.  f 

The  dreadful  hour  with  laden  pace  approached. 

Lashed  fiercely  on  by  unrelentmg  fate. 

When  Lisy  and  her  bosom  Cat  must  part  : 

For  now  to  school  and  pensive  needle  doomed. 

She's  banishf  d  from  her  childhood's  undashed  joj, 

And  all  the  pleasing  intercourse  she  kept 

With  her  gray  comrade,  which  has  often  soothed 

Her  tender  moments,  while  the  world  around 

Glowed  with  ambition,  business,  and  vice. 

Or  lay  dissolved  in  sleep's  delicious  arms  ; 

And  from  their  dewy  orbs  the  conscious  stars 


*  This  Httle  piece  is  presuiiic<l  tolx;  tlic  eiirlii.'st  of  Thomson'a 
poems  that  has  beeu  preserved  ;  probably  written  before  he 
was  fifteen. 

f  Elizal)eth,  the  iieroine  of  these  juvenile  lines,  was  Thorn- 
sou's  second  and  favorite  sister. 


USY'S  PARTING    WITH  HER   CAT.  308 

Shed  on  their  friendship  influence  benign. 

But  see  where  mournful  Puss,  advancing  stood 
With  outstretched  tail,  casts  looks  of  anxious  woe 
On  melting  Lisy,  in  whose  eye  the  tear 
Stood  tremulous,  and  thus  would  fain  have  said, 
If  nature  had  not  tied  her  struggling  tongue  : 
"  Unkind,  O  !  who  shall  now  with  fattening  milk, 
With  flesh,  with  bread,  and  flsh  beloved,  and  meat, 
Regale  my  taste  ?  and  at  the  cheerful  fire, 
Ah  !  who  shall  bask  me  in  their  downy  lap  ? 
Who  shall  invite  me  to  the  bed,  and  throw 
The  bedclothes  o'er  me  in  the  winter  night, 
When  Eurus  roars  ?  Beneath  whose  soothing  hand 
Soft  shall  I  purr  ?     But  now,  when  Lisy's  gone, 
What  is  the  dull  ofticious  world  to  me  ? 
I  loathe  the  thoughts  of  life  : "  thus  plained  the  Cat, 
While  Lisy  felt,  by  sympathetic  touch, 
These  anxious  thoughts  that  in  her  mind  revolved, 
And  casting  on  her  a  desponding  look. 
She  snatched  her  in  her  arms  with  eager  grief, 
And  mewing  thus  began  :  —  "  O  Cat  beloved  ! 
Thou  dear  companion  of  my  tender  years  ! 
Joy  of  my  youth  !  that  oft  hast  licked  my  hands 
With  velvet  tongue  ne'er  stained  by  mouse's  blood  ; 
Oh,  gentle  Cat !  how  shall  I  part  with  thee  ? 
How  dead  and  heavy  will  the  moments  pass 
When  you  are  not  in  my  delighted  eye, 
With  Cubi  playing,  or  your  flying  tail  ! 
How  harshly  will  the  softest  muslin  feel. 
And  all  the  silk  of  schools,  while  I  no  more 
Have  your  sleek  skin  to  sooth  my  softened  sense  ! 
How  shall  I  oat  when  yon  are  not  beside 
To  share  tlie  bit  ?     How  shall  I  cvtr  sleep 
While  I  no  more  your  lulling  murmurs  hear  ? 
Yet  we  must  part  —  so  rigid  falc  decrees  — 
Hut  never  shall  your  loved  idoa,  dear, 
Part  from  my  soul,  and  when  I  first  can  mark 
The  embroided  figure  on  the  snowy  lawn, 
Your  image  shall  my  needle  keen  employ. 
Uark  !  now  I  am  called  away  !  O  direful  sound  \ 


t04  PSALM  CIV.  PARAPHRASED. 

I  come  —  I  come,  but  first  I  charge  you  all  — . 
You  —  You —  and  you,  particularly  you, 
O,  Mary,  Mary,*  feed  lier  with  the  best. 
Repose  her  nightly  in  the  warmest  couch, 
And  be  a  Lisy  to  her  !  "  —  Having  said, 
She  sat  her  down,  and  with  her  head  across, 
Rushed  to  the  evil  which  she  could  not  shun. 
While  a  sad  mew  went  knelling  to  her  heart  ! 


PSALM  CIV.  PARAPHRASED,  f 

To  praise  thy  Author,  Soul,  do  not  forget  ; 

Canst  thou  in  gratitude,  deny  the  dept  ? 

Lord,  thou  art  great,  how  great  we  cannot  know  ; 

Honor  and  majesty  do  round  thee  flow. 

The  purest  rays  of  primogenial  light 

Compose  thy  robes,  and  make  them  dazzling  bright  r 

The  heavens  and  all  the  wide  spread  orbs  on  high 

Thou  like  a  curtain  stretched  of  curious  dye  ; 

On  the  devouring  flood  thy  chambers  are 

Established  ;  a  lofty  cloud's  thy  car  ; 

Which  quick  through  the  ethereal  road  doth  fly. 

On  swift  winged  winds,  that  shake  the   troubled   sky. 

Of  spiritual  substance  angels  thou  didst  frame. 

Active  and  bright,  piercing  and  quick  as  flame. 

Thou'st  firmly  founded  this  unwieldly  earth  ; 

Stand  fast  for  aye,  thou  saidst,  at  nature's  birth. 

The  swelling  flood  thou  o'er  the  earth    madest   creep, 

And  coveredst  it  with  the  vast  hoary  deep  : 

Then  hills  and  vales  did  no  distinction  know, 

But  leveled   nature  lay  oppressed  below. 

With  speed  they,  at  thy  awful  thunder's  roar, 

Shrinked  within  the  limits  of  their  shore. 

Through  secret  tracts  they  up  the  mountains  creep, 

*  Thomson's  youngest  sister. 

f  Written  while  Thomson  was  at  the  University,  probably 
in  1718  or  1719.  This  is  the  production  the  reception  of  which 
may  be  said  to  have  determined  the  future  course  of  the  poet 


fSALM  CIV.  PARAPHRASED.  tOt 

And  rocky  caverns  fruitful  moisture  weep, 

Which  sweetly  through  the  verdant  vahs  doth   glide, 

Till  'tie  devoured  by  the  greedy  tide. 

The  feeble  sands  thou'st  made  the  ocean's  mounds, 

Its  foaming  waves  shall  ne'er  repass  these  bounds, 

Again  to  triumph  over  the  dry  grounds. 

Between  the  hills  grazed  by  the  bleating  kind. 

Soft  warbling  rills  their  mazy  way  do  find  ; 

By  him  appointed  fully  to  supply, 

When  the  hot  dogstar  fires  the  realms  on  high, 

The  raging  thirst  of  every  sickening  beast, 

Of  the  wild  ass  that  roams  the  dreary  waste  : 

The  feathered  nation,  by  their  smiling  sides, 

In  lowly  brambles,  or  in  trees  abide  ; 

By  nature  taught,  on  them  they  rear  their  nests, 

That  with  inimitable  art  are  dressed. 

They  for  the  shade  and  safety  of  the  wood 

With  natural  music  cheer  the  neighborhood. 

He  doth  the  clouds  with  genial  moisture  fill. 

Which  on   the   [shrjiveled   ground    they  bounteous 

distill, 
And  nature's  lap  with  various  blessings  crowd  : 
The  giver,  God  !  all  creatures  cry  aloud. 
With  freshest  green  lie  clothes  the  fragrant  mead. 
Whereon  the  grazing  herds  wanton  and  feed. 
With  vital  juice  he  makes  the  plants  abound. 
And  herbs  securely  spring  above  the  ground, 
That  man  may  be  sustained  beneath  the  toil 
Of  manuring  the  ill  producing  soil  ; 
Which  with  a  plenteous  harvest  does  at  last 
Cancel  the  memory  of  labors  past  ; 
Yields  him  the  product  of  the  generous  vine. 
And  balmy  oil  that  makes  his  face  to  shine  : 
Fills  all  his  granaries  with  a  loadeii  crop, 
Against  the  bare  barren  wiiitei-  his  great  prop. 
The  trees  of  God  with  kindly  sap  do  swell. 
E'en  cedars  tall  in  Lebanon  that  dwell, 
Upon  whose  lofty  top  the  birds  erect 
Their  nests,  as  careful  nature  does  direct. 
The  long  necked  storks  unto  the  fir  trees  fly, 


tot  PSALM  CIV.  PARAPHRASED. 

And  with  their  cackling  cries  disturb  the  sky. 
To  unfrequented  hills  wild  goats  resort, 
And  on  bleak  rocks  the  nimble  conies  sport. 
The  changing  moon  thou  cladst  with  silver  light, 
To  check  the  black  dominion  of  the  night  : 
High  through  the  skies  in  silent  state  she  rides, 
And  by  her  rounds  the  fleeting  time  divides. 
The  circling  sun  doth  in  due  time  decline, 
And  unto  shades  the  murmuring  world  resign. 
Dark  night  thou  makest  succeed  the  cheerful  day, 
Which  forest  beasts  from  their  lone  caves  survey  : 
They  rouse   themselves,  creep  out,  and  search  theil 

prey. 
Young  hungry  lions  from  their  dens  come  out, 
And,  mad  on  blood,  stalk  fearfully  about  : 
They  break  night's  silence  with  their  hideous  roar, 
And  from  kind  heaven  their  nightly  })rey  implore. 
Just  as  the  lark  begins  to  stretch  her  wing, 
And,  flickering  on   her  nest,  makes  short  essays  to 

And  the  sweet  dawn,  with  a  faint  glimmering  lights 

Unveils  the  face  of  nature  to  the  sight. 

To  their  dark  dens  they  take  their  hasty  flight. 

Not  so  the  husbandman, —  for  with  the  sun 

He  does  his  pleasant  course  of  labors  run  : 

Home  with  content  in  the  cool  e'en  returns, 

And  his  sweet  toils  until  the  morn  adjourns. 

How  many  are  thy  wondrous  works,  O  Lord  I 

They  of  thy  wisdom  solid  proofs  afford  : 

Out  of  thy  boundless  goodness  thou  didst  fill, 

With  riches  and  delights,  both  vale  and  hill : 

E'en  the  broad  ocean,  wherein  do  abide 

Monsters  that  flounce  upon  the  boiling  tide, 

And  swarms  of  lesser  beasts  and  fish  beside  : 

'TIS  there  that  daring  ships  before  the  wind 

Do  scud  amain,  and  make  the  })ort  assigned  : 

'Tis  there  that  Leviathan  sports  and  })lays, 

And  spurts  his  water  in  th(^  fntte  of  day  ; 

For  food  witli  ga])ing  mouth  they  wait  on  thee, 

If  thou  wjthholdst,  they  pine,  they  faint,  they  die 


OiV  A    COUXTRY  LIFE.  Wl 

Thou  bountifully  opest  thy  liberal  hand, 
And  scatterest  plenty  both  on  sea  and  land. 
Thy  vital  spirit  makes  all  things  live  below, 
The  face  of  nature  with  new  beauties  glow. 
God's  awful  glory  ne'er  will  have  an  end, 
To  vast  eternity  it  will  extend. 
When  he  surveys  his  works,  at  the  wnde  sight 
He  doth  rejoice,  and  take  divine  delight. 
His  look  the  earth  into  its  center  shakes  ; 
A  touch  of  his  to  smoke  the  mountains  makes, 
ril  to  God's  honor  consecrate  my  lays, 
And  when  I  cease  to  be  I'll  cease  to  praise. 
Upon  the  Lord,  a  sublime  lofty  theme, 
My  meditations  sweet,  my  joys  supreme. 
Let  daring  sinners  feel  thy  vengeful  rod, 
May  they  no  more  be  known  by  their  abode. 
My  soul  and  all  my  powers,  O  bless  the  Lord, 
And  the  whole  race  of  men  with  one  accord. 


ON  A  COUNTRY  LIFE.* 

I  HATK  the  clamor  of  the  smoky  towns, 

liut  much  admire  the  bliss  of  rural  clowns  ; 

Where  some  remains  of  innocence  appear. 

Where  no  rude  :ioise  insults  the  listening  ear  ; 

Naught  but  soft  zephyrs  whispering  through  the  tre«^ 

(Jr  the  still  humming  of  the  peaceful  bees  ; 

The  gentle  inurniurs  of  the  purling  rill, 

Or  the  unwearied  chirping  of  tlie  drill  ; 

'i'hc  charming  harmony  of  warlWing  birds, 

')r  hollow  lowings  of  the  grazing  herds  ; 

The  munnuring  stockdoves'  inclancholy  coo, 

When  they  their  loved  mates  lament  or  woo. 

The  pleasing  hleatings  of  the  tender  lambs. 

Or  the  indistinct  mutnhling  of  tiuir  dams  ; 

The  musical  discord  of  chiditig  hounds, 

*  This  piece,  and  the  two  Ibul    nnmediutely  follow,   wen 
written  al  the  University. 


30e  ON  A   COUNTRY  LIFE. 

Whereto  the  echoing  hill  or  rock  resounds  ; 
The  rural  mournful  songB  of  lovesick  swains, 
Whereby  they  soothe  their  raging  amorous  pains  ; 
The  whistling  music  of  the  lagging  plow, 
Which  does  the  strength  of  drooping  beasts  renew. 

And  as  the  country  rings  with  pleasant  sounds. 
So  with  delightful  prospects  it  abounds  : 
Through  every  season  of  the  sliding  year, 
Unto  the  ravished  sight  new  scenes  appear. 

Id  the  sweet  spring  the  sun's  prolific  ray 
Does  painted  flowers  to  the  mild  air  display; 
Then  opening  buds,  then  tender  herbs  are  seen, 
And  the  bare  fields  are  all  arrayed  in  green. 

In  ripening  Summer,  the  full  laden  vales 
Give  prospect  of  employment  for  the  flails  ; 
Each   breath   of   wind   the    bearded    groves    make* 

bend. 
Which  seems  the  fatal  sickle  to  portend. 

In  Autumn,  that  repays  the  laborer's  pains, 
Reapers  sweep  down  the  honors  of  the  plains. 

Anon  black  Winter,  from  the  frozen  north, 
Its  treasuries  of  snow  and  hail  pours  forth  ; 
Then  stormy  winds  blow  through  the  hazy  sky, 
In  desolation  nature  seems  to  lie  ; 
The  unstained  snow  from  the  full  clouds  descends, 
Whose  sparkling  luster  open  eyes  offends. 
In  maiden  white  the  glittering  fields  do  shine  ; 
Then  bleating  flocks  for  want  of  food  repine. 
With  withered  eyes  they  see  all  snow  around. 
And  with  their  fore  feet  paw  and  scrape  the  ground  ; 
They  cheerfully  do  crop  the  insipid  grass, 
The  shepherds  sighing,  cry,  Alas  !  alas  ! 
Then  pinching  want  the  wildest  beast  does  tame  ; 
Then  huntsmen  on  the  snow  do  trace  iheir  game  ; 
Keen  frost  then  turns  the  liquid  lakes  to  glass. 
Arrests  the  dancing  rivulets  as  they  pass. 

How  sweet  and  innocent  are  country  sports, 
And,  as  men's  tcinpei's,  various  are  their  sorts. 

You,  on  the  banks  of  soft  meandering  Tweed, 
May  in  your  toils  insnare  the  watery  breed, 


OV  A    COUNTRY  LIFE.  V^ 

And  nicely  lead  the  artificial  flee,* 
Which,  when  the  nimble,  watchful  trout  does  see, 
He  at  the  bearded  hook  will  briskly  spring  ; 
Then  in  that  instant  twitch  your  hairy  string, 
And,  when  he's  hooked,  you,  with  a  constant  hand, 
May  draw  him  struggling  to  the  fatal  land. 

Then  at  fit  seasons  you  may  clothe  your  hook, 
With  a  sweet  bait,  dressed  by  a  faithless  cook  ; 
The  greedy  pike  darts  to't  with  eager  haste. 
And,  being  struck,  in  vain  he  flies  at  last  ; 
He  rages,  storms,  and  flounces  through  the  stream. 
But  all,  alas  !  his  life  cannot  redeem. 

At  other  times  you  may  pursue  the  chase, 
And  hunt  the  nimble  hare  from  place  to  place 
See,  when  the  dog  is  just  upon  ihe  grip. 
Out  at  a  side  she'll  make  a  handsome  skip, 
And  ere  he  can  divert  his  furious  course, 
She,  far  before  him,  scours  with  all  her  force  ; 
She'll  shift,  and  many  times  run  the  same  ground  ; 
At  last,  outwearied  by  the  stronger  hound, 
She  falls  a  sacrifice  unto  his  hate, 
And  with  sail  piteous  screams  laments  her  fate. 

See  how  the  hawk  doth  take  his  towering  flight, 
And  in  his  course  outflies  our  very  sight. 
Bears  down  the  fluttering  fowl  with  all  his  might, 
See  how  the  wary  gunner  casts  about. 
Watching  the  fittest  posture  when  to  shoot  : 
Quick  as  the  fatal  lightning  blasts  tlie  oak, 
He  gives  the  springing  fowl  a  sudden  stroke  ; 
He  pours  u])on't  a  shower  of  mortal  lead. 
And  ere  the  noise  is  heard  the  fowl  is  dead. 

Sometimes  he  spreads  his  hidden  subtle  snare, 
Of  which  the  entangled  fowl  was  not  aware  ; 
Through  pathless  wastes  he  doth  pursue  his  sport, 
Where  naught  but  moor-fowl  and  wild  beasts  resort 

When  the  noon  sun  directly  darts  liis  beams 
Upon  your  gi'My  licadv,  witli  fiery  gleams, 
Then  you  may  l^atlic  yourself  in  cooling  streams  ; 
Or  to  the  sweet  aijjoining  grove  retire, 
*A  8cottieism  for  a  lly. 


MO  ON  HAPPINESS. 

Where  trees  with  interwoven  boughs  conspire 
To  form  a  graceful  shade  ;  — there  rural  swainb 
Do  tune  their  oaten  reeds  to  rural  strains  ; 
The  silent  birds  sit  listening  on  th<!  sprays, 
And  in  soft  charming  notes  do  imitate  their  layg. 
There  you  may  stretch  yourself  upon  the  grass, 
And  lu41ed  with  music,  to  kind  slumbers  pass  : 
No  meager  cares  your  fancy  will  distract, 
And  on  that  scene  no  tragic  fears  will  act  ; 
Save  the  dear  image  of  a  charming  she, 
Naught  will  the  olDJect  of  your  vision  be. 

Away  the  vicious  pleasures  of  the  town  ; 
Let  empty  partial  fortune  on  me  frown  ; 
But  grant,  ye  powers,  that  it  may  be  ray  lot 
To  live  in  peace  from  noisy  towns  remote. 


ON  HAPPINESS. 

Warmed  by  the  summer  sun's  meridian  ray, 

As  underneath  a  spreading  oak  I  lay 

Contemplating  the  mighty  load  of  woe, 

In  search  of  bliss  that  mortals  undergo. 

Who  while  they  thini:  they  happiness  enjoj. 

Embrace  a  curse  wrapt  in  delusive  joy, 

I  reasoned  thus  :  Since  the  Creator,  God, 

Who  in  eternal  love  has  his  abode. 

Hath  blended  with  the  essence  of  the  soul 

An  appetite  as  fixed  as  the  pole. 

That's  always  eager  in  pursuit  of  bliss, 

And  always  veering  till  it  j)oint  to  this, 

There  is  some  object  adequate  to  fill 

This  boundless  \,  ish  of  our  extended  will. 

Now,  while  :ny  thought  round  nature's  circle  runi 

(A  bolder  journey  than  the  furious  sun's) 

This  chief  and  satiating  good  to  find 

The  attracting  center  of  tlie  human  mind, 

My  ears  thej'  deafened,  to  my  swimming  eyes 

His  magic  wand  the  drowsy  (xoil  Djiplies, 


ON  HAPPINESiS.  ill 

Bound  all  my  senses  in  a  silken  sleep, 
Willie  mimic  fancy  did  her  vigils  keep  ; 
Yet  still  raethinks  some  condescending  powei 
Ranged  the  ideas  in  my  mind  that  hour, 

Methought  I  wandering  was,  with  thousands  more, 
Beneath  a  high  prodigious  hill,  before. 
Above  the  clouds  whose  towering  summit  rose, 
With  utmost  labor  only  gained  by  those 
Who  groveling  prejudices  throw  away, 
And  with  incessant  straining  climbed  their  way  ; 
Where  all  who  stood  their  failing  breath  to  gain. 
With  headlong  ruin  tumbled  down  amain. 
This  mountain  is  through  every  nation  famed, 
And,  as  I  learned,  Contemplation  named. 
O  happy  me  !  when  I  had  reached  its  top 
Unto  ray  sight  a  boundless  scene  did  ope. 

First,  sadly  I  surveyed  with  downward  eye, 
Of  restless  men  below  the  busy  fry, 
Who  hunted  trifles  in  an  endless  maze, 
Like  foolish  boys  on  sunny  summer  days, 
Pursuing  butterflies  with  all  their  might, 
Who  can't  their  troubles  in  the  chase  requite. 
The  painted  insect,  he  who  most  admires, 
Grieves  most  when  it  in  his  rude  hand  expires  ; 
Or  should  it  live,  with  endless  fe:)rs  is  tossed, 
Lest  it  take  wing  and  be  forever  lost. 

Some  men  I  saw  their  utmost  art  employ 
How  to  attain  a  false  deceitful  joy. 
Which  from  afar  conspicuously  did  blaze. 
And  at  a  distance  fixed  their  ravished  gaze, 
But  nigh  at  hand  it  mocked  their  fond  embrace  ; 
When  lo  !  again  it  flashed  in  their  eyes, 
But  still,  as  they  drew  near,  the  fond  illusion  diet. 
Just  so  I've  seen  a  water-dog  pursue 
An  unflown  duck  within  his  greedy  view. 
When  he  has,  panting,  at  his  prey  arrived, 
The  cox('(unb  fooling  —  suddenly  it  dived  ; 
He,  gri})|>iiig,  is  almost  with  water  choked, 
Ami  grit'f,  that  all  his  towering  hopes  are  mocked  | 
Then  it  emerges,  he  renews  his  toil, 


M  ON  HAPPlNESt. 

And  o*er  and  o*er  again  he  gets  the  foil. 

Yea,  all  the  joys  beneath  the  conscious  sun, 

And  softer  ones  that  his  inspection  shun, 

Much  of  their  pleasures  in  fruition  fade  •, 

Enjoyment  o'er  them  throws  a  sullen  shade. 

The  reason  is,  we  promise  vaster  things 

And  sweeter  joys  than  from  their  nature  springs  ; 

When  they  are  lost,  weep  the  apparent  bliss, 

And  not  what  really  in  fruition  is  ; 

So  that  our  griefs  are  greater  tlian  our  joys, 

And  real  pain  springs  from  fantastic  toys. 

Though  all  terrene  delights  of  men  below 
Are  almost  nothing  but  a  glaring  show  ; 
Yet  if  there  always  were  a  virgin  joy 
When  t'other  fades  to  soothe  the  wanton  boy, 
He  somewhat  might  excuse  his  heedless  course, 
Some  show  of  reason  for  the  same  enforce  ; 
But  frugal  nature  wisely  does  deny 
To  mankind  such  profuse  variety  ; 
Has  only  what  is  needful  to  us  given, 
To  feed  and  cheer  us  in  the  way  to  heaven ; 
And  more  would  but  the  traveler  delay 
Impede  and  clog  him  in  his  upward  way. 

I  from  the  mount  all  mortal  pleasures  saw 
Themselves  within  a  narrow  compass  draw : 
The  libertine  a  nauseous  circle  run, 
And  dully  acted  what  he'd  often  done. 
Just  so  when  Luna  darts  her  silver  ray, 
And  pours  <mi  silent  earth  a  paler  day  : 
From  Stygian  caves  the  flitting  fairies  scud, 
And  on  the  margent  of  some  limpid  flood. 
Which  !;y  reflected  moonlight  darts  a  glance, 
In  midnight  circle  range  themselves  and  danoci 

To-morrow,  cries  he,  will  us  entertain  : 
Pray  what's  to-morrow  but  to-day  again  ? 
Deluded  youth,  no  more  the  chas(>  pursue. 
So  oft  deceived,  no  moi;;  tlie  toil  renew. 
Tliough  in  a  constant  and  a  fixed  design 
Of  acting  well  there  is  a  lasting  mine 
Of  solid  satisfaction,  purest  joy, — 


OK  HAPPINESS.  818 

For  virtue's  pleasures  never,  never  cloy, — 
Yet  hither  come,  climb  up  tlie  steep  ascent, 
Your  painful  labor  you  will  ne'er  re])cnt. 
From  heaven  itself  here  you're  but  one  remove ; 
Here's  the  preludium  of  the  joys  above  ; 
Here  you'll  behold  the  awful  Godlu'ad  shine, 
And  all  perfections  in  tlie  same  combine  ; 
You'll  see  that  God,  wlio,  by  his  powerful  call, 
From  empty  nothing  drew  this  spacious  ball, 
Made  beauteous  order  the  rude  mass  control, 
And  every  part  subservient  to  the  whole  ; 
Here  you'll  behol '  upon  the  fatal  tree 
The  God  of  nature  bleed,  expire,  and  die, 
For  such  as  'gainst  his  holy  laws  rebel. 
And  such  as  bid  d( :  mce  to  his  hell. 
Through  the  dark  gulf,  here  you  may  clearly  pry 
'Twixt  narrow  Time  and  vast  Eternity  ; 
Behold  the  Godhead  just,  as  well  as  goo  1, 
And  vengeance  poured  on  tram])lers  on  his  blood ; 
But  all  the  tears  wiped  from  his  peo])l(''s  eyes, 
And,  for  their  entrance,  cleave  the  parting  skies. 
Then  sure  you  will  witli  holy  ardors  burn. 
And  to  seraphic  heats  your  passion  turn  ; 
Then  in  your  eyes  all  mortal  fair  will  fade, 
And  leave  of  mortal  beauties  but  the  shade  ; 
Yourself  to  him  you'll  solemnly  devote, 
To  him,  without  whose  providence  you're  not ; 
You'll  of  his  service  relish  the  d(light. 
And  to  his  praises  all  your  })Owers  excite  ; 
You'll  cele])rate  liis  name  in  lieavenly  sound, 
Wliich  well  pleased  skies  in  echoes  will  rebound; 
This  is  the  greatest  hap]>iness  tliat  can 
Possessed  be  in  this  short  life  by  man. 

But  darkly  here  tlu;  (Todhead  we  survey, 
Confined  and  cramixVl  in  this  cage  of  clay. 
What  cruel  band  is  this  to  caith  that  ties 
Our  souls  from  soaring  to  their  native  skie»* 
Upon  the  bright  eternal  {wvc.  to  gaze, 
And  there  drink  in  the  beatific  rays  : 
There  to  behold  the  good  one  and  the  fair* 


81%  A  FLOWER  FROM  HIS  MISTRESS. 

A  ray  from  whom  all  mortal  beauties  are  ? 
In  beauteous  nature  all  the  harmony- 
Is  but  the  echo  of  the  Deity, 
Of  all  perfection  who  the  center  is, 
And  boundless  ocean  of  untainted  bliss  ; 
Forever  open  to  the  ravished  view, 
And  full  enjoyment  of  the  radiant  crew 
Who  live  in  raptures  of  eternal  joy. 
Whose  flaming  love  their  tuneful  harps  employ 
In  solemn  hymns  Jehovah's  praise  to  sing, 
And  make  all  heaven  with  hallelujahs  ring. 

These  realms  of  light  no  further  I'll  explore, 
And  in  these  heights  I  will  no  longer  soar  : 
Not  like  our  grosser  atmosphere  beneath, 
The  ether  here's  too  thin  for  me  to  breathe. 
The  region  is  insufferably  bright. 
And  flashes  on  me  with  too  strong  a  light. 
Then  from  the  mountain,  lo  !  I  now  descend, 
And  to  my  vision  put  a  hasty  end. 


VERSES    ON  RECEIVING  A  FLOWER  FROM 
HIS  MISTRESS. 

Madam,  the  flower  that  I  received  from  you, 
Ere  I  came  home,  had  lost  its  lovely  hue  : 
As  flowers  deprived  of  the  genial  day. 
Its  sprightly  bloom  did  wither  and  decay. 
Dear,  fading  flower,  I  know  full  well,  said  I, 
The  reason  that  you  shed  your  sweets  and  die  ; 
You  want  the  influence  of  her  enlivening  eye. 
Your  case  is  mine  —  Absence,  that  plague  of  lore 
With  heavy  pace  makes  every  minute  move  ; 
It  of  my  being  is  an  empty  blank, 
And  hinders  me  myself  witli  men  to  rank  ; 
Your  cheering  ])resence  quickens  me  again, 
And  new-sprung  life  exults  in  every  vein. 


A  If  ELEGY  ON  PARTING.  Slf 


AN  ELEGY  ON  PARTING. 

It  was  a  sad,  ay  'twas  a  ?ad  farewell  ; 
I  still  afresh  the  pangs  of  parting  feel ! 
Against  my  breast  ray  heart  impatient  beat, 
And  in  deep  sighs  bemoaned  its  cruel  fate  ; 
Thus  with  the  object  of  my  love  to  part, 
My  life  !  my  joy  !  'twould  rend  a  rocky  hearL 

Where'er  I  turn  myself,  where'er  I  go, 
I  meet  the  image  of  my  lovely  foe  ; 
With  witching  charms  the  phantom  still  appears, 
And  with  her  wanton  smile  insults  my  tears  ; 
Still  haunts  the  places  where  we  used  to  walk, 
And  where  with  raptures  oft  I  heard  her  talk  ; 
Those  scenes  I  now  with  deepest  sorrow  view, 
And  sighing  bid  to  all  delight  adieu. 

While  I  my  head  upon  this  turf  recline, 
Officious  sun,  in  vain  on  me  you  shine  ; 
In  vain  unto  the  smiling  fields  I  hie  ; 
In  vain  the  flowery  meads  salute  my  eye  ; 
In  vain  the  cheerful  birds  and  shepherds  sing. 
And  with  their  carols  make  the  valleys  ring  ; 
Yea,  all  the  pleasure  that  the  country  yield 
Can't  rae  from  sorrow  for  her  absence  shield  ; 
With  divine  pleasure  books  which  one  inspire, 
Yea,  books  themselves  I  do  not  now  admire. 
But  hark  !  methinks  some  pitying  power  I  hear 
This  welcome  message  whisjjer  in  my  ear  : 
"  Forget  thy  groundless  griefs,  dejected  swain, 
Vou  and  the  nymph  you  love  shall  meet  again  ; 
No  more  your  muse  shall  sing  such  mournful  lays, 
But  bounteous  heaven  and  your  kind  mistress  praifte." 


ID  TO   SERAPHINA. 


TO  SERAPHINA 


The  wanton's  charms,  however  bright, 
Are  like  the  false  illusive  light 
Whose  flattering  unauspicious  blaze 
To  precipices  oft  betrays  : 
But  that  sweet  ray  your  beauties  dart, 
Which  clears  the  mind,  and  cleans  the  heart 
Is  like  the  sacred  queen  of  night, 
Who  pours  a  lovely  gentle  light 
Wide  o'er  the  dark,  by  wanderers  blest, 
Conducting  them  to  peace  and  rest. 
A  vicious  love  depraves  the  mind, 
'Tis  anguish,  guilt,  and  folly  joined  ; 
But  Seraphina's  eyes  dispense 
A  mild  and  gracious  influence  ; 
Such  as  in  visions  angels  shed 
Around  the  heaven-illumined  head. 
To  love  thee,  Seraphina,  sure 
Is  to  be  tender,  happy,  pure  ; 
'Tis  from  low  passions  to  escape, 
And  woo  bright  virtue's  fairest  shape  ; 
'Tis  ecstasy  with  wisdom  joined  ; 
And  heaven  infused  into  the  mind. 


ON  THE  HOOP. 

Thk  hoop,  the  darling  justly  of  the  fair, 

Of  every  generous  swain  deserves  the  care. 

It  is  unmanly  to  desert  the  weak, 

'Twould  urge  a  stone,  if  possible,  to  speak  ; 

To  hear  stanch  hypocrites  bawl  out  and  cry, 

"This  hoop's  a  whorish  garb,  fie  !  ladies,  fie  !*• 

O  cruel  and  audacious  men,  to  blast 

The  fame  of  ladies  more  than  vestals  chaste  ; 

Should  you  go  search  the  globe  throughout. 

None  will  you  find  so  pious  and  devout ; 

So  modest,  chaste,  so  handsome,  and  so  fair, 


ON  MA  Y.  Wt 

As  our  dear  Caledonian  ladies  are. 

When  awful  beauty  puts  on  all  her  charms. 

Naught  gives  our  sex  such  terrible  alarms, 

As  when  the  hoop  and  tartan  both  combine 

To  make  a  virgin  like  a  goddess  shine, 

Let  quakers  cut  their  clothes  unto  the  quick. 

And  with  severities  themselves  afflict  ; 

But  may  the  hoop  adorn  Ediiia's  street, 

Till  the  south  pole  shall  with  the  northern  meet. 


ON  MAY. 

Among  the  changing  months,  May  stands  confest 

The  sweetest,  and  in  fairest  colors  dressed  ! 

Soft  as  the  breeze  that  fans  the  smiling  field  ; 

Sweet  as  the  breath  that  opening  roses  yield  ; 

Fair  as  the  color  lavish  nature  paints 

On  virgin  flowers  free  from  uiiodorous  taints  !  — 

To  rural  scenes  thou  tempt'st  the  busy  crowd, 

Who,  in  each  grove,  tliy  jn-aises  sing  aloud  ! 

The  blooming  belles  and  sliallow  beaux,  strange  sight 

Turn  nymphs  and  swains,  and  in  their  sports  delight 


THE  MORNING  IT^  THE  COUNTRY, 

When  from  the  opening  ohaml)ers  of  the  east 
The  morning  S]>rings,  in  thousand  liveries  drest, 
The  early  larks  their  niorniTig  tribute  pay, 
And,  in  shrill  notes,  salute  the  blooming  day. 
Refreshed  fields  with  pearly  dew  do  shine. 
And  tender  blades  therewith  their  tops  incline. 
Their  painte<l  leaves  the  unblown  flowers  expand, 
And  with  their  odorous  breath  [xrlume  the  land. 
The  erowing  fock  and  chuttcring  hen  awitkes 
Dull  sl(!<'py  (clowns,  who  know  the  morning  breaks. 
The  herd  his  pl;iid  around  his  shoulders  tlii'ows. 
Grasps  his  dear  erook,  calls  on  his  dog,  and  goes 
Around  the  fold  :   he  walks  with  careful  pace, 
And  fallen  clods  sets  in  tlu-ir  wonted  place  ; 


Jit  LINES  ON  MARLEFIELD. 

Then  opes  the  door,  unfolds  bis  fleecy  care, 
And  gladly  sees  them  crop  their  morning  farei 
Down  upon  easy  moss  he  lays, 
And  sings  some  charming  shepherdess's  praise. 


LINES  ON  MARLEFIELD. 

What  is  the  task  that  to  the  muse  belongs  ? 
What  but  to  deck  in  her  harmonious  songs 
The  beauteous  works  of  nature  and  of  art, 
Rural  retreats  that  cheer  the  heavy  heart  ? 
Then  Marlefield  begin,  my  muse  aud  sing  ; 
With  Marlefield  the  hills  and  vales  shall  ring. 
O  !  what  delight  and  pleasure  'tis  to  rove 
Through  all  the  walks  and  alleys  of  this  grove. 
Where  spreading  trees  a  checkered  scene  display, 
Partly  admitting  and  excluding  day  ; 
Where  cheerful  green  and  odorous  sweets  conspire 
The  drooping  soul  with  pleasure  to  inspire  ; 
Where  little  birds  employ  their  narrow  throats 
To  sing  its  praises  in  unlabored  notes. 
To  it  adjoined  a  rising  fabric  stands, 
Which  with  its  state  our  silent  awe  commands  ; 
Its  endless  beauties  mock  the  poet's  pen. 
So  to  the  garden  I'll  return  again. 
Pomona  makes  the  trees  with  fruit  abound. 
And  blushing  Flora  paints  the  enameled  ground. 
Here  lavish  nature  does  her  stores  disclose, 
Flowers  of  all  hue,  their  queen  the  bashful  rose, 
'With  their  sweet  breath  the  ambient  air's  perfumed 
Nor  is  thereby  their  fragrant  stores  consumed. 
O'er  the  fair  landscape  sportive  zephyrs  scud, 
And  by  kind  force,  display  the  infant  l)ud. 
The  vegetable  kind  here  rear  their  head, 
By  kindly  showers  and  heaven's  indulgence  fed  : 
Of  fabled  nymphs  such  were  the  sacred  haunts, 
But  real  nymphs  this  chanuing  dwelling  vaunts. 
Now  to  the  greenhouse  let's  awhile  retire. 
To  shun  the  heat  of  Sol's  infectious  fire 


ON  BEA  UTY.  tit 

Immortal  authors  grace  this  cool  retreat. 
Of  ancient  times,  and  of  a  modern  date. 
Here  would  my  praises  and  my  fancy  dwell  ( 
But  it,  alas,  description  does  excel. 
O  may  this  sweet,  this  beautiful  abode 
Remain  the  charge  of  the  eternal  God. 


ON  BEAUTY. 

Beauty  deserves  the  homage  of  the  muse  : 
Shall  mine,  rebellious,  the  dear  theme  refuse? 
No  ;  while  my  breast  respires  the  vital  air, 
Wholly  I  am  devoted  to  the  fair. 
Beauty  I'll  sing  in  my  sublimest  lays, 
I  burn  to  give  her  just  immortal  praise. 
The  heavenly  maid  with  transport  I'll  pursue 
To  her  abode,  and  all  her  graces  view. 

This  happy  place  with  all  delights  abounds, 
And  plenty  broods  upon  the  fertile  grounds. 
Here  verdant  grass  their  waving     *     *     *     ♦ 
And  hills  and  vales  in  sweet  confusion  lie  ; 
The  nibbling  flock  strays  o'er  the  rising  hills, 
And  all  around  with  bleating  music  fills  ; 
High  on  their  fronts  tall  blooming  forests  nod. 
Of  sylvan  deities  the  blest  abode  ; 
The  featliered  minstrels  hop  from  8])ray  to  spray. 
And  chant  their  gladsome  carols  all  the  day  ; 
Till  dusky  night,  advancing  in  her  car, 
Makes  with  declining  night  successful  war. 
Then  Philomel  her  mournful  lay  rej)eats, 
And  through  her  throat  breathes  mclanclioly  sweet* 
Still  Iiiglicr  yet  wild  rugged  rocks  arise, 
That  all  ascent  to  human  foot,  denies, 
An<l  strike  beholders  with  a  di-cnd  Hiir])ri8e. 
This  ])aradise  these  towering  hills  surround, 
That  thither  is  one  only  passage  found. 
Increasing  brooks  roll  down  the  mountain's  side, 
And  aa  they  pass  the  o]>posing  j^eubles  chide. 


8M  ON  BEAUTY. 


But  vernal  showers  refresh  the  blooming  year. 
Their  only  season  is  eternal  spring, 
Which  hovers  o'er  them  with  a  downy  wing  j 
Blossoms  and  fruits  at  once  the  trees  adorn 
With  glowing  blushes,  like  the  rosy  morn. 

The  way  that  to  this  stately  palace  goes, 
Of  myrtle  trees,  lies  'twixt  two  even  rows, 
Which,  towering  high,   with  outstretched  arms  dit 

played 
Over  our  heads  a  living  arch  have  made. 
To  sing,  my  muse,  the  bold  attempt  begin, 
Of  awful  beauties  you  beheld  within  : 
The  goddess  sat  upon  a  throne  of  gold. 
Embossed  with  figures  charming  to  behold  ; 
Here  new-made  Eve  stood  in  her  early  bloom, 
Not  yet  obscured  with  sin's  sullen  gloom  ; 
Her  naked  beauties  do  the  soul  confound. 
From  every  part  is  given  a  fatal  wound  ; 
There  other  beauties  of  a  nicaner  fame 
Oblige  the  sight,  whom  here  I  shall  not  name. 
In  her  right  hand  she  did  a  scepter  sway, 
O'er  all  mankind  ambitious  to  obey  ; 
Her  lovely  forehead  and  her  killing  eye. 
Her  blushing  cheeks  of  a  vermilion  dye. 
Her  lip's  soft  pulp,  her  heaving  snowy  breast, 
Her  well  turned  arm,  her  handsome  slender  waist. 
And  all  below  veiled  from  the  curious  eye  ; 
Oh  !  heavenly  maid  !  makes  all  beholders  cry. 

Her  dress  was  plain,  not  pompous  as  a  bride, 
Which  would  her  sweeter  native  beauties  hide. 
One  thing  I  mind,  a  spreading  hoop  she  wore, 
Than  nothing  which  adorns  a  lady  more  ; 
With  equal  rage  could  I  its  beauties  sing, 
I'd  with  the  liooj)  make  all  Parnassus  ring. 
Around  her  shoulders,  dangliuLC  on  her  thronCj 
A  bright  Tartana  carelessly  w  as  thrown 
Which  has  already  won  immortal  j)raise. 
Most  sweetly  sung  in  Allan  Kamsay's  lays  j 
The  wanton  Cujjids  did  around  her  play, 


ON  BEAUTY. 

And  smiling  loves  upon  her  bosom  stray  ; 
With  purple  wings  they  round  about  her  flew. 
And  her  sweet  lips  ti  ged  with  ambrosial  dew  : 
Iler  air  was  easy,  graceful  was  lier  mien, 
Her  presence  banished  the  ungrateful  spleen  ; 
In  shortj^  her  divine  influence  refined 
Our  corrupt  hearts,  and  polished  mankind. 

Of  lovely  nymphs  she  had  a  smiling  train, 
Fairer  than  those  e'er  graced  Arcadia's  plain. 
The  British  ladies  next  to  her  took  place, 
Who  chiefly  did  tlie  fair  assembly  grace. 
What  blooming  virgins  can  Britannia  boast, 
Their  praises  would  all  eloquence  exhaust  ! 
With  ladies  there  my  ravished  eyes  did  meet, 
That  ott  I've  seen  grace  fair  Edina's  street. 
With  their  broa^^  hoops  cut  through  the  willing  air. 
Pleased  to  give  ^lace  unto  the  lovely  fair. 

Sure  this  is  like  those  blissful  seats  above, 
Here  [all]  is  peace,  transporting  joy,  and  love. 

Should  I  be  doomed  by  cruel  angry  fate 
In  some  lone  isle  my  lingering  end  to  wait, 
Yet  happy  I  !  still  happy  should  I  be  ! 
While  blessed  with  virtue  and  a  charming  she; 
With  full  content  I'd  fortune's  pride  despise, 
And  die  still  gazing  on  her  lovely  eyes. 
May  all  the  l>lessings  mortals  need  below, 
May  aU  the  blessings  heaven  can  bestow, 
May  everything  that's  j)leasant,  good,  or  rars 
Be  the  eternal  portion  of  the  Fair. 


9M      AN  ELEGY  UYOU  JAMES  THURBURlf. 
AN  ELEGY  UPON  JAMES  THERBURN,* 

IN    CHATTO. 

Now,  Chatto,  you're  a  dreary  place. 
Pale  sorrow  broods  on  ilka  face; 
Therburn  has  ran  his  race. 
And  now,  and  now,  ah  me,  alas! 

The  carl  lies  dead. 
Having  his  paternoster  said, 
He  took  a  dram  and  went  to  bed, 
He  fell  asleep,  and  death  was  glad 

That  he  had  catched  him; 
For  Therburn  was  e'en  ill  bested, 

That  none  did  watch  him. 

For  had  the  carl  but  been  aware, 

That  meager  death,  who  none  does  spare, 

T'  attempt  sic  things  should  ever  dare. 

As  stop  his  pipe; 
He  might  have  come  to  flee  or  scare  : 

The  greedy  gipe. 

How  he'd  had  but  a  gill  or  twae. 
Death  would  nae  got  the  victory  sae. 
Nor  put  poor  Therburn  o'er  the  brae, 
Into  the  grave; 

•         • t 

The  fumbling  tellow,  some  folks  say 
Should  be  jobbed  on  baith  night  and  day  \ 
She  had  without'eu  better  play, 

Remained  still. 
Barren  forever  and  for  aye, 

Do  what  he  will. 


*  This  is  the  ouly  instuncH;  of  a  poem  in  the  Scotch  dialed 
written  by  Thomson.  lie  liad,  liowever,  a  very  broad  Scotcl: 
accent. 

■f  The  MS.  is  imperfect  in  these  places, 


Off   THE  DEATH  OF  HIS  MOTHER. 

Therefore  they  say  he  got  some  help 
In  getting  of  the  little  whelp  ; 
But  passing  that,  it  makes  me  yelp, 

But  what  remead? 
Death  lent  him  sic  a  cursed  skelp, 

That  now  he's  dead. 

Therburn,  for  evermore  farewell, 
And  be  thy  grave  both  dry  and  deep  ; 
And  rest  thy  carcase  soft  and  well, 

Free  from     .... 
«     .     .     .     .       no  night     .     . 

Disturb ♦ 


ON  THE  DEATH  OF  HIS  MOTHER  f 

Ye  fabled  Muses,  I  your  aid  disclaim, 
Your  airy  raptures,  and  your  fancied  flame  ; 
True  genuine  woe  my  throbbing  breast  inspires. 
Love  prompts  my  lays,  acd  filial  duty  fii'es  ; 
My  soul  springs  instant  at  the  warm  design. 
And  the  lieart  dictates  every  flowing  line. 
See  !  where  the  kindest,  best  of  mothers  lies, 
And  death  has  closed  her  ever  watching  eyes  ; 
Has  lodged  at  last  in  peace  her  weary  breast, 
And  lulled  her  many  piercing  cares  to  rest. 
No  more  the  orphan  train  around  her  stands, 
While  her  full  heart  upl>raids  lier  needy  hands  I 
No  more  the  widow's  lonely  fate  she  feels, 
The  shock  severe  that  modest  want  coiK^eals, 
The  oppressor's  scourge,  the  scorn  of  wealthy  pride, 
And  poverty's  unnumb(M'ed  ills  beside. 
For  see  !  attended  by  the  angelic  tliroiig, 
Through  yonder  worlds  of  light  she  glides  along, 
And  claims  the  well  earned  rajitiires  of  the  sky  : 

•  The  M.S.  is  imperfect  in  llicse  pliiccs. 

f  The  event  to  whicli  these  liins  refer  took  phice  on  tlie  10th 
of  May,  1725,  only  a  few  weeks  after  Thomson  left  Edinburgk. 


IM         ON  THE  DEATH  OF  HIS  MO  THEM. 

Yet  fond  concern  recalls  the  mother's  eye  ; 

She  seeks  the  helpless  orphans  left  beliiud  ; 

So  hardly  left  !  so  bitterly  resigned  ! 

Still,  still  !  is  she  my  soul's  diurnal  theme, 

The  waking  vision,  and  the  wailing  dream  : 

Amid  the  ruddy  sun's  enlivening  blaze 

O'er  my  dark  eyes  her  dewy  image  plays, 

And  in  the  dread  dominion  of  the  night 

Shines  out  again  the  sadly  pleasing  sight. 

Triumphant  virtue  all  around  her  darts, 

And  more  than  volumes  every  look  imparts  — 

Looks,  soft,  yet  awful  ;  melting,  yet  serene  ; 

Where  both  the  mother  and  the  saint  are  seen. 

But  ah  !  that  night  —  that  torturing  night  remain!  \ 

May  darkness  dye  it  with  the  deepest  stains, 

May  joy  on  it  forsake  her  rosy  bowers. 

And  streaming  sorrow  blast  its  baleful  hours, 

When  on  the  margin  of  the  briny  flood. 

Chilled  with  a  sad  presaging  damp  I  stood, 

Took  the  last  look,  ne'er  to  behold  her  more. 

And  mixed  our  murmurs  with  the  wavy  roar  ; 

Heard  the  last  words  fall  from  her  pious  tongue, 

Then,  wild  into  the  bulging  vessel  flung. 

Which  soon,  too  soon,  conveyed  me  from  her  sight, 

Dearer  than  life,  and  liberty,  and  light ! 

Why  was  I  then,  ye  powers,  reserved  for  this  ? 

Nor  sunk  that  moment  in  the  vast  abyss  ? 

Devoured  at  once  by  the  relentless  wave. 

And  whelmed  forever  in  a  watery  grave?  — 

Down,  ye  wild  wishes  of  unruly  woe  !  — 

I  see  her  with  immortal  beauty  glow  ; 

The  early  wrinkle,  care-contracted,  gone. 

Her  tears  all  wiped,  and  all  her  sorrows  flown  ; 

The  exalting  voice  of  Heaven  I  hear  her  breathe, 

To  soothe  her  soul  in  agonies  of  death. 

I  see  her  through  the  mansions  blessed  above, 

And  now  she  meets  her  dear  expecting  love. 

Heart-cheering  sight  !  but  yet,  alas  !  o'erspread 

By  the  dark  gloom  of  Grief's  uncheerful  sliade. 

Come  then,  of  reason  the  reflecting  hour, 


TO  THE  MEMORY  OF  SIR  ISAAC  NEWTON.    83$ 

And  let  me  trust  the  kind  o'erruling  Power, 
Who  from  tlie  night  commands  the  shining  day,* 
The  poor  man's  portion  and  the  orphan's  stay. 


TO  THE  MEMORY  OF  SIR  ISAAC  NEWTON. 

His  tibi  me  rebus  quaedam  divina  Voluptas 
Percepit,  atque  Horror  ;  quod  sic  Natura  tu4  vi 
Tarn  manifesta  patet  ex  omui  parte  retecta. 

Lucretius. 

Shall  the  great  soul  of  Newton  quit  this  earth,f 
To  mingle  with  his  stars  ;  and  every  Muse, 
Astonished  into  silence,  shun  the  weight 

*  In  most  previous  editions  tliis  line  is  thus  rendered  — 
"  Wlio  from  the  right  commands  the  shining  day.  ' 
Mr.  Robert  Bell  introduced  the  reading  "  night." 

f  These  verses  were  inscribed  to  Sir  Robert  Walpole,  and 
published  immediately  after  the  death  of  Sir  Isaac  Newton, 
which  took  place  on  the  20th  of  March,  1727.  The  dedication 
to  Walpole  ran  as  follows  : — 

"  TO  THE  RIGHT  HONORABLE  SIR  ROBERT  WALPOLE,  KNIGHT  0» 
THE  MOST  NOBLE  ORDER  OF  THE  GARTER. 

"  Sir, — Since  I  have  ventured  to  write  a  poem  on  a  gentle- 
man who  is  universally  acknowledged  to  be  the  honor  of  our 
country  as  a  philosopher,  prompted  by  the  same  ambition,  I 
address  it  to  her  most  illu.stritjus  patiiot. 

"Though,  by  the  wise  choice  of  the  ImjsI  of  Kings,  you  are 
engaged  in  the  highest  and  most  active  scenes  of  life,  balanc- 
ing tlie  power  of  Europe,  watching  over  our  common  welfare, 
informing  the  whole  body  of  society  and  commerce,  and 
even,  like  H<'aven,  dispensing  happiness  to  the  discontented 
and  the  ungrateful  ;  though  ihus  gloriously  employed,  yet  yom 
are  not  less  attentive,  in  the  iiour  of  leisure,  to  the  variety, 
tx;;iuty,  and  magniticenco  of  nature  ;  nor  less  delighted  and 
astonislw;!]  at  the  disecjvcries  of  the  incompan'ble  Newton. 
The  Hjinie  comprehensive  g(;nius  wliich  way  .soever  it  lookfl 
must  have  a  steady,  clear  Htid  unbounded  prospect. 

"  Hut  not  to  enorf)aeh  any  further  on  your  iini>ortant  mo- 
ments, all  devoted  to  the  good  (;f  mankind,  I  once  more  plead 
the  dignity  ol  my  subject  for  niy  cxruse  in  this  approach,  and 
beg  leave  to  subs(;ril)e  myself,  with  tlie  sinceiest  veneratioa 
Sir,  your  most  faithful,  humble  servant,      "  J a.mks  Thomson," 


SM    TO  THE  MEMORY  OF  SIR  ISAAC  NEWTON, 

Of  honors  due  to  his  illustrious  name? 

But  what  can  man  ?  —  E'en  now  the  sons  of  light, 

In  strains  high  warbled  to  seraphic  lyre, 

Hail  his  arrival  on  the  coast  of  bliss. 

Yet  am  not  I  deterred,  though  high  the  theme, 

And  sung  to  harps  of  angels,  for  with  you, 

Ethereal  flames  !  ambitious,  I  aspire 

In  Nature's  general  symphony  to  join. 

And  what  new  wonders  can  you  show  your  guest  1 
Who,  while  on  this  dim  spot,  where  mortals  ton 
Clouded  in  dust,  from  Motion's  simple  laws, 
Could  trace  the  secret  hand  of  Providence, 
Wide- working  through  this  universal  frame. 

Have  ye  not  listened  while  he  bound  the  suns 
And  planets  to  their  spheres  !  the  unequal  task 
Of  humankind  till  then.     Oft  had  they  rolled 
O'er  erring  man  the  year,  and  oft  disgraced 
The  pride  of  schools,  before  their  course  was  known 
Full  in  its  causes  and  effects  to  him. 
All-piercing  sage  !     Who  sat  not  down  and  dreamed 
Romantic  schemes,  defended  by  the  din 
Of  specious  words,  and  tyranny  of  names  ; 
And,  bidding  his  amazing  mind  attend. 
And  with  heroic  patience  years  on  years 
Deep-searching  saw  at  last  the  system  dawn, 
And  shine,  of  all  his  race,  on  him  alone. 

What  were  his  raptures  then  !     how  pure  !     how 
strong  ! 
And  what  the  triumphs  of  old  Greece  and  Rome, 
By  his  diminished,  but  the  pride  of  boys 
In  some  small  fray  victorious  !   when  instead 
Of  shattered  parcels  of  this  earth  usurped 
By  violence  unmanly,  and  sore  deeds 
Of  cruelty  and  blood,  Nature  herself 
Stood  all  subdued  by  him,  and  open  laid 
Her  every  latent  glory  to  his  view. 

All  intellectual  eye,  our  solar  round 
First  gazing  through,  he  by  the  blended  powet 
Of  gravitation  and  projection  saw 
The  whole  in  silent  harmony  revolve. 


TO  THE  MEMORY  OF  SIR  ISAAC  NEWTON.    827 

From  unassisted  vision  liid,  the  moons 

To  cheer  remoter  planets  numerous  formed, 

By  him  in  all  their  mingled  tracts  were  seen. 

He  also  fixed  our  wandering  Queen  of  Night, 

Whether  she  wanes  into  a  scanty  orb, 

Or,  waxing  broad,  with  her  pale  shadowy  lights 

In  a  soft  deluge  overflows  the  sky. 

Her  every  motion  clear-discernmg,  he 

Adjusted  to  the  mutual  main,  and  taught 

Why  now  the  mighty  mass  of  Avater  swells 

Resistless,  heaving  on  the  broken  rocks, 

And  the  full  river  turning  :  till  again 

The  tide  revertive,  unattracted,  leaves 

A  yellow  waste  of  idle  sands  behind. 

Then  breaking  hence,  he  took  his  ardent  flight 
Through  the  blue  infinite  ;  and  every  star 
Which  the  clear  concave  of  a  winter's  night 
Pours  on  the  eye,  or  astronomic  tube, 
Far  stretching,  snatches  from  the  dark  abyss  ; 
Or  such  as  further  in  successive  skies 
To  fancy  shine  alone,  at  his  approach 
Blazed  into  suns,  the  living  center  each 
Of  an  harmonious  system  :  all  combined. 
And  ruled  unerring  by  that  single  power, 
Which  draws  the  stone  projected  to  the  ground. 


O  unprofuse  magnificence  divin 


O  wisdom  truly  perfect  !  thus  to  call 
From  a  few  causes  such  a  scheme  of  things. 
Effects  so  various,  beautiful,  and  great, 
A  universe  complete  !     And  O,  beloved 
Of  Heaven  !   whose  well  jiurged  penetrative  eye 
The  mystic  veil  transpiercing,  inly  scanned 
The  rising,  moving,  wide-established  fame. 
He,  first  of  men,  with  awful  wing  })ursued 
The  Comet  through  the  long  ellij)tic  curve. 
As  round  innumerous  worlds  he  wound  his  waj  ; 
Till,  to  the  forehead  of  our  evening  sky 
Returned,  the  bla/ing  wonder  glares  anew, 
And  o'er  the  trembling  nations  shakes  dismay. 
The  heavens  are  all  his  own  ;    from  the  wild  rult 


tS8    TO  THE  MEMORY  OF  SIR  ISAAC  NEWTOH, 

Of  whirling  Vortices,  and  circling  Spheres, 
To  their  first  great  simplicity  restored, 
The  schools  astonished  stood  ;   but  found  it  vain 
To  combat  still  with  demonstration  strong, 
And,  unawakened,  dream  beneath  the  blaze 
Of  truth.     At  once  their  pleasing  visions  fled. 
With  the  gay  shadows  of  the  morning  mixed, 
When  Newton  rose,  our  philosophic  sun  ! 

The  aerial  flow  of  Sound  was  known  to  him, 
From  whence  it  first  in  wavy  circles  breaks. 
Till  the  touched  organ  takes  the  message  in. 
Nor  could  the  darting  beam  of  speed  immense 
Escape  his  swift  pursuit,  and  measuring  eye. 
E'en  Light  itself,  which  everything  displays 
Shone  undiscovered,  till  his  brighter  mind 
Untwisted  all  the  shining  robe  of  day  ; 
And,  from  the  whitening  undistinguished  blaze, 
Collecting  every  ray  into  his  kind. 
To  the  charmed  eye  educed  the  gorgeous  train 
Of  parent  colors.     First  the  flaming  Red 
Sprung  vivid  forth  ;  the  tawny  Orange  next  ; 
And  next  delicious  Yellow  ;    by  whose  side 
Fell  the  kind  beams  of  all-refreshing  Green  ; 
Then  the  pure  Blue,  that  swells  autumnal  skies 
Ethereal  played  ;  and  then,  of  sadder  hue, 
Emerged  the  deepened  Indigo,  as  when 
The  heavy  skirted  evening  droops  with  frost ; 
While  the  last  gleamings  of  refracted  light 
Died  in  the  fainting  Violet  away. 
These,  when  the  clouds  distill  the  rosy  shower. 
Shine  out  distinct  adown  the  watery  bow  ; 
While  o'er  our  heads  the  dewy  vision  bends 
Delightful,  melting  on  the  fields  beneath. 
Myriads  of  mingling  dyes  from  these  result, 
And  myriads  still  remain  ;  infinite  source 
Of  beauty,  ever  blushing,  ever  new. 

Did  ever  poet  image  aught  so  fair, 
Dreaming  in  whispering  groves,  by  the  hoarse  brook; 
Or  prophet,  to  whose  rapture  heaven  descends? 
K'en  now  the  setting  sun  and  shifting  clouds, 


TO  THE  MEMORY  OF  StR  ISAAC  NEWTON,    SM 

Seen,  Greenwich,  from  thy  lovely  heights,  declare 
How  just,  how  beauteous  the  refractive  law. 
The  noiseless  tide  of  Time,  all  bearing  down 
To  vast  eternity's  unbounded  sea, 
Where  the  green  islands  of  the  happy  shine, 
He  stemmed  alone  ;  and  to  the  source  (involved 
Deep  in  primeval  gloom)  ascending,  raised 
His  lights  at  equal  distances,  to  guide 
Historian,  wildercd  on  his  darksome  way. 

But  who  can  number  up  his  labors  ?  who 
His  high  discoveries  sing?  when  but  a  few 
Of  the  deep  studying  race  can  stretch  their  minds 
To  what  he  knew  —  in  fancy's  lighter  thought. 
How  shall  the  muse  then  grasp  the  mighty  theme? 

What  wonder  thence  that  his  devotion  swelled 
Responsive  to  his  knowledge  ?  For  could  he, 
Whose  piercing  menial  eye  diffusive  saw 
The  finished  university  of  things, 
In  all  its  order,  magnitude,  and  parts, 
Forbear  incessant  to  adore  that  Power 
Who  fills,  sustains,  and  actuates  the  whole  ? 

Say,  ye  who  best  can  tell,  ye  happy  few, 
Who  saw  him  in  the  softest  lights  of  life. 
All  un withheld,  indulging  to  his  friends 
The  vast  unborrowed  treasures  of  his  mind, 
Oh,  speak  the  wondrous  man  !    how  mild,  how  ealm| 
How  greatly  humble,  how  divinely  good  ; 
How  firm  established  on  eternal  truth  ; 
Fervent  in  doing  well,  with  every  nerve 
Still  pressing  on,  forgetful  of  the  past, 
And  panting  for  perfection  :   far  above 
Those  little  cares,  and  visionary  joys, 
That  so  perplex  the  fond  iinj):issi()ned  heart 
Of  ever  cheated,  ev(^r  trusting  man. 

And  you,  ye  liopclcss  gloomy-minded  tribe, 
You  who,  uncons(!i()US  of  those  nol)l<'r  fiights 
That  reach  im|)aticnt  at  irntnort;il   life. 
Against  the  prime  endearing  privilege 
Of  B"ing  dare  (;ontend, —  say,  can  a  soul 
Of  such  extensive,  deep,  tremen<lous  powers, 


^    TO  THE  MEMORY  OE  SIR  ISAAC  NEWTOU. 

Enlarging  still,  be  but  a  finer  breath 

Of  spirits  dancing  through  their  tubes  awhile, 

And  then  forever  lost  in  vacant  air? 

But  hark  !  methinks  I  hear  a  warning  voice, 
Solemn  as  when  some  awful  change  is  come,        [full  •, 
Sound  through  the  world — "  'Tis  done!— The  measure's 
And  I  resign  my  charge." — Ye  raoldering  stones, 
That  build  the  towering  pyramid,  the  proud 
Triumphal  arch,  the  monument  effaced 
By  ruthless  ruin,  and  whate'er  supports 
The  worshiped  name  of  hoar  antiquity, 
Down  to  the  dust !  what  grandeur  can  ye  boasi 
While  Newton  lifts  his  column  to  the  skies, 
Beyond  the  waste  of  time.     Let  no  weak  drop 
Be  shed  for  him.     The  virgin  in  her  bloom 
Cut  off,  the  joyous  youth,  and  darling  child, 
These  are  the  tombs  that  claim  the  tender  tear, 
And  elegiac  song.     But  Newton  calls 
For  other  notes  of  gratulation  high, 
That  now  he  wanders  through  those  endless  worlds 
He  here  so  well  descried,  and  wondering  talks, 
And  hymns  their  Author  with  his  glad  compeers. 
O  Britain's  boast  !   wliether  with  angels  thou 
Sittest  in  dread  discourse,  or  fellow-blessed, 
Who  joy  to  see  the  honor  of  their  kind  ; 
Or  whether,  mounted  on  cherubic  wing, 
Thy  swift  career  is  with  the  whirling  orbs. 
Comparing  things  with  things,  in  rapture  lost. 
And  grateful  adoration,  for  that  light 
So  plenteous  rayed  into  thy  mind  below, 
From  Light  himself  ;  oh,  look  with  pity  down 
On  humankind,  a  frail  erroneous  race  ! 
Exalt  the  spirit  of  a  downward  world  ! 
O'er  thy  dejected  Country  chief  preside, 
And  be  her  genius  called  !  her  studies  raise, 
Coircct  her  manners,  and  inspire  her  youth.       [forth, 
l''or,   though   depraved  and    sunk,   she   brought  the« 
And  glories  in  thy  name  ;  she  points  ihee  out 
To  all  her  sons,  and  bids  tlieni  eye  thy  star  : 
While  in  expectance  of  the  second  life, 


A  PARAPHRASE  ON  THE  LATTER,  ETC.        881 

When  time  shall  be  no  more,  thy  sacred  dust 
Sleeps  with  her  kings,  and  dignities  the  scene. 


A  PARAPHRASE  ON  THP:  LATTER  PART  OF 
THE  SIXTH  CHAPTER  OF  ST.  MAl^THEW.* 

Whex  ray  breast  labors  with  oppressive  care, 
And  o'er  my  cheek  descend  the  falling  tear  ; 

While  all  my  warring  passions  are  at  strife, 
O,  let  me  listen  to  the  word  of  life  ! 
Raptures  deep  felt  His  doctrine  did  impart, 
And  thus  He  raised  from  earth  the  droojiing  heart. 

"  Think  not  when  all  your  scanty  stores  afford, 
Is  spread  at  once  upon  the  sparing  board  ; 
Think  not,  when  worn  the  homely  robe  appears. 
While  on  the  roof  the  howling  temj)esl  bears  ; 
What  further  shall  this  feeble  life  sustain, 
And  what  shall  clothe  these  shivering  limbs  again  1 
Say,  does  not  life  its  nourishnienl  exceed? 
And  the  fair  body  its  investing  weed  ? 

"  Behold  !   and  look  away  your  low  despair  — 
See  the  light  tenants  of  the  barren  air  : 
To  them,  nor  stores,  nor  granaries  belong. 
Naught,  but  the  woodland,  aiid  the  pleasing  song  ; 
Yet,  your  kind  heavenly  Father  bends  his  eye 
On  the  least  wing  that  flits  ahnig  the  sky. 
To  him  they  sing,  when  Spring  renews  the  plain, 
To  him  they  cry,  in  Winter's  pineliiug  reign  ; 
Nor  is  their  muse,  nor  their  j)]aint  in  vain  ; 
He  hears  the  gay  and  the  distressfid  call, 
And  with  unsj»aririg  bounty  tills  them  all. 

'■'Observe  the  rising  lily's  snowy  graco. 
Observe  the  various  vegetable  race  ; 
They  neither  toil,  iioi-  spin,  but  careless  grow. 
Yet  se(!  how  warm  tliev  bln.sli  I  how  bri^lit  thev  glow! 
Wliat  Higal  vestments  (•an  willi  them  compare  ! 

*  'I'hiH  Pariiphiise,  mid  the  tlii(!c  pieces  Itiiit  iminediatciv  foj 
low,  were  publiHlied  in  ITTSW 


A  HAPPY  MAN. 


What  king  so  shining  !  or  what  queen  so  fair  ! 
If  ceaseless  thus  the  fowls  of  Iieaven  he  feeds, 
If  o'er  the  fields  such  lucid  robes  he  spreads : 
Will  he  not  care  for  you,  ye  faithless,  say  ? 
Is  he  unwise  ?  or  are  ye  less  than  they  ? 


THE  HAPPY  MAN. 

Hi's  not  the  happy  man,  to  whom  is  given 

A  plenteous  fortune  by  indulgent  Heaven  ; 

Whose  gilded  roofs  on  shining  columns  rise, 

And  painted  walls  enchant  the  gazer's  oyos  ; 

Whose  table  flows  with  hospitable  cheer, 

And  all  the  various  bounties  of  tlie  year  ; 

Whose  valleys  smile,  whose  gardens  breathe  the  spring, 

Whose  curved  mountains  bleat,  and  forests  sing  ; 

For  whom  the  cooling  sliado  in  summer  twines. 

While  his  full  cellars  give  their  generous  wines  ; 

From  whose  wide  fields  unbounded  autunm  pours 

A  golden  tide  into  his  swelling  stores  ; 

Whose  winter  laughs  ;  for  whom  the  liberal  gales 

Stretch  the  big  sheet,  and  toiling  commerce  sails  ; 

Whom  yielding  crowds  attend,  and  })]easure  servos  ; 

While  youth,  and  health,  and  vigor  string  his  nerves. 

E'en  not  all  these,  in  one  rich  lot  combined. 

Can  make  the  happy  man,  without  tlie  mind  ; 

Where  judgment  sits  clear-sighted,  and  surveys 

The  chain  of  reason  with  unerring  gaze  ; 

Where  fancy  lives,  and  to  the  lii-ightcning  eyes, 

Her  fairer  scenes,  and  bolder  figures  rise  ; 

Where  social  love  exerts  her  soft  command, 

And  lays  the  passion  with  a  tend(M-  hand, 

Whence  every  virtue  flows,  in  rival  strife, 

And  all  the  moral  harmony  of  life. 

Nor  canst  thou,  Oodington,*  tliis  truth  decline  : 
Thine  is  the  fortune,  and  the  mind  is  thine. 


*  Qrtox^e  Bub  Dndinarton,  aftorwunls  Lord  iMclfunhA 


VMM  INCOMPARABLE  SOPORIFIC  DOCTOR.     3$S 


rHE  INCOMPARABLE  SOPORIFIC  DOCTOR.* 

SwEKT,  sleeky  Doctor  !  dear  pacific  soul  ! 

Lay  at  the  beef,  and  suck  the  vital  bowl  ! 

Still  let  the  involving  siuoke  around  thee  fly, 

And  broad-looked  dullness  settle  in  thine  eye. 

Ah  !  soft  in  down  these  dainty  limbs  repose, 

And  in  the  very  lap  of  slumber  doze  ; 

But  chiefly  on  the  lazy  day  of  grace, 

Call  forth  the  lambent  glories  of  thy  face  ; 

If  aught  the  thoughts  of  dinner  can  prevail, 

And  sure  the  Sunday's  dinner  cannot  fail, 

To  the  thin  church  in  sleepy  pomp  proceed, 

And  lean  on  the  lethargic  book  thy  head  ; 

Those  eyes  wipe  often  with  the  hallowed  lawn, 

Profoundly  nod,  immeasurably  yawn  ; 

Slow  let  the  prayers  by  thy  meek  lips  be  sung, 

Nor  let  thy  thoughts  be  distanced  by  thy  tongue ; 

If  e'er  the  lingerers  are  within  a  call, 

Or  if  on  prayers  thou  deign'st  to  think  at  all. 

Yet  —  only  yet —  the  swimming  head  we  bend  ; 

But  when  serene,  the  pul})it  you  ascend, 

Througli  every  joint  a  gentle  horror  creeps, 

And  round  you  the  consenting  audience  sleeps. 

So  when  an  ass  with  sluggish  front  appears, 

The  horses  start  and  prick  their  (piivering  ears  ; 

But  soon  as  ere  the  sage  is  heard  to  pray, 

The  fields  all  thunder,  and  they  bound  away. 


HYMN  ON  SOLITUDE. 

Hail,  mildly  plcasintx  Solitude, 
Comj)anion  oi    the  wi^r  and  good  ; 
But  from  whose  lioly,  |)i('iciiig  eye, 
The  her<l  of  fools  and  villains  fly. 


Dr    Patrick  Murdoch. 


114  HYMN  ON  SOLITUDE. 

Oh  !  how  I  love  with  thee  to  walk, 
And  listen  to  thy  whispered  talk, 
Which  innocence  and  truth  imparts, 
And  melts  the  most  obdurate  hearts. 

A  thousand  shapes  you  wear  with  ease» 
And  still  in  every  shape  you  please  : 
Now  wrapt  in  some  mysterious  dream, 
A  lone  phik>*opher  you  seem  ; 
Now  quick  from  hill  to  vale  you  fly, 
And  now  you  sweep  the  vaulted  sky  ; 
A  shepherd  next,  you  haunt  the  plain, 
And  warble  forth  youi-  oaten  strain  ; 
A  lover  now  with  all  the  grace 
Of  that  sweet  passion  in  your  face  ; 
Then,  calmed  to  friendship,  you  assume 
The  gentle  looking  Hertford's  bloom, 
As,  with  her  Musidora,  she 
(Her  Musidora  fond  of  thee) 
Amid  the  long- withdrawing  vale. 
Awakes  the  rivaled  nightingale. 

Thine  is  the  balmy  breath  of  mom, 
Just  as  the  dew-be)it  rose  is  born  ; 
And  while  meridian  fervors  beat, 
Thine  is  the  woodland  dumb  retreat  ; 
But  chief,  when  evening  scenes  decay. 
And  the  faint  landscape  swims  away, 
Thine  is  the  doubtful  soft  decline, 
And  that  best  hour  of  musing  thine. 

Descending  angels  bless  thy  train. 
The  virtues  of  the  sage,  and  swain  ; 
Plain  Innocence  in  white  arrayed 
Before  tliee  lifts  her  fearless  head  ; 
Religion's  beatns  around  thee  shine. 
And  cheer  thy  glooms  witli  light  divine  .'; 
About  thee  sports  sweet  Liberty  ; 
And  rapt  Urania  sings  to  thee. 


BRITANNIA 

Oh,  let  me  pierce  thy  secret  cell ! 
And  in  thy  deep  recesses  dwell. 
Perhaps  from  Norwood's  oak-clad  hill. 
When  meditation  has  her  fill. 
I  just  may  cast  my  careless  eyes, 
Where  London's  spiry  turrets  rise  ; 
Think  of  its  crimes,  it  cares,  its  jiain, — 
Then  shield  me  in  the  woods  again. 


BRITANNIA.* 


-^—  Et  tantas  audetis  toUere  moles  ? 

Quos  ego  —  sed  motos  prsestat  componere  fluctUB. 

Post  mihi  non  simili  poena  comniisn  luelis. 

Maturate  fugam,  regique  hsec  dicite  vestro  : 

Non  illi  imperiuni  pelagi,  ssevumque  tridentem. 

Sed  mihi  sorte  datum.  ViRGlL. 

As  on  the  sea-beat  shore  Britannia  sat, 
Of  her  degenerate  sons  the  faded  fame, 

*  The  circumstances  to  which  the  poem  refers  are  as  follows  : 
—In  the  summer  of  1726,  Admiral  Hosier-  had  been  sent  to  the 
Spanish  West  Indies  to  protect  our  commerce,  with  strict  in- 
junctions to  avoid  reprisals  ;  and  soon  afterwards  the  Spanish 
minister  was  abrui)t]y  recalled  from  the  court  of  Si.  James' 
leaving  behind  him  a  memorial  which  was  desciibed  in  the 
King's  Speech,  on  opening  the  Parliament  in  January,  1727,  as 
Tery  little  short  of  a  declaration  of  war.  The  Spaniards  were 
the  first  to  commence  hostilities,  by  investing  Gibraltar,  and 
attacking  the  English  (iag  in  American  waters.  Early  in  1728, 
however,  preliminaries  of  peace  were  iiri'anged  and  ratified  at 
Madrid,  to  the  undisguised  delight  of  the  English  minister, 
who  was  thus  enabled  to  close  an  arduous  session  amidst  the 
acclamations  of  the  people.  But  tlie  exultation  was  brief  ;  for, 
notwithstanding  that  this  peace  was  formally  agreed  to,  and 
the  preliminaries  signed,  tiie  Spaniards  continued  to  ob.struct 
our  trade,  and  make  prizes  of  our  nicnhanl  shii)s.  When  Par- 
liament met  in  January,  172!),  it  was  besieged  by  petitions  from 
.he  inerchanlile  interest,  demanding  icdicss.  A  committee 
was  api)ointed  to  investigate  tlu;  subject  ;  Spain  was  dcchireti 
by  »  unanimous  resolution  to  have  violatcii  tiie  treaty  ;  and  an 
address  was  vot (id  to  his  Majesty,  praying  tiiat  he  would  olv 
tain  satisfaction  for  the  depredations  conunitled  on  his  subjects 
It  was  at  this  juncture  Britannia  nppeared. 


Mt  BRITANNIA. 

Deep  in  her  anxious  heart,  revolving  sad  : 

Bare  was  her  throbbing  bosom  to  the  gale, 

That,  hoarse  and  hollow,  from  the  bleak  surge  blew ; 

Loose  flowed  her  tresses;  rent  her  azure  robe 

Hung  o'er  the  deep  ;  from  her  majestic  brow 

She  tore  the  laurel,  and  she  tore  the  bay  ; 

Nor  ceased  the  copious  grief  to  bathe  her  cheek, 

Nor  ceased  her  sobs  to  murmur  to  the  main. 

Peace  discontented  nigh,  departing,  stretched 

Her  dove-like  wings  :  and  War,  though  greatly  roused, 

Yet  mourns  his  fettered  hands.  While  thus  the  Queen 

Of  nations  spoke  ;  and  what  she  said  the  muse 

Recorded,  faithful,  in  unbidden  verse. 

"  E'en  not  yon  sail,  that,  from  the  sky-mixed  wave, 
Dawns  on  the  sight,  and  wafts  the  Royal  Youth,* 
A  freight  of  future  glory  to  my  shore  ; 
E'en  not  the  flattering  view  of  golden  days. 
And  rising  periods  yet  of  bright  renown, 
Beneath  the  Parents,  and  their  endless  line 
Through  late  revolving  time,  can  soothe  my  rage  ; 
While,  unchastised,  the  insulting  Spaniard  dares 
Infest  the  trading  flood,  full  of  vain  war. 
Despise  my  navies,  and  iny  merchants  seize, 
As,  trusting  to  false  peace,  they  fearless  roam 
The  world  of  waters  wild  ;  made,  by  the  toil. 
And  liberal  blood  of  glorious  ages,  mine  : 
Nor  bursts  ray  sleeping  thunder  on  their  head. 
Whence  this  unwonted  patience  ?    this  weak  doubt  f 
This  tame  beseeching  of  rejected  peace  ? 
This  meek  forbearance  ?  this  unnative  fear. 
To  generous  Britons  never  known  before  ? 
And  sailed  my  fleets  for  this  ;  on  Indian  tides 
To  float,  inactive,  with  the  veering  winds  ? 
The  mockery  of  war  !  while  hot  disease, 
And  sloth  distempered,  swept  off  burning  crowds, 
For  action  ardent  ;  and  amid  the  deep, 
Inglorious,  sunk  them  in  a  water}'  grave. 
There  now  they  lie  beneath  the  rolling  flood, 

*  Frederick,  i^rince  of  Wales,  then  lately  arrived. 


BRITANNIA.  887 

Far  from  their  friends,  and  country,  unavenged  ; 
And  back  the  droo|.ing  war-ship  comes  again, 
Dispirited  and  thin  ;  her  sons  ashamed 
Thus  idly  to  review  their  native  shore. 
With  not  one  glory  sparkling  in  their  eye. 
One  triumph  on  their  tongue.     A  passenger, 
The  violated  merchant  comes  along  ; 
That  far  sought  wealth  for  which  the  noxious  gale 
He  drew,  and  sweat  beneath  equator  suns. 
By  lawless  force  detained  ;    a  force  that  soon 
VVould  melt  away,  and  every  spoil  resign. 
Were  once  the  British  lion  lionid  to  roar. 
Whence  is  it  that  the  proud  Iberian  thus, 
In  their  own  well  asserted  element, 
Dares  rouse  to  wrath  the  mnsters  of  the  main? 
Who  told  him  that  the  big  incumbent  war 
Would  not,  ere  this,  have  rolled  his  trembling  porta 
In  smoky  ruin  ?  and  his  guilty  stores. 
Won  by  the  ravage  of  a  })utchered  world, 
Yet  unatoned,  sunk  in  the  swallowing  deep, 
Or  led,  the  glittering  prize,  into  the  Thames? 
"  There  was  a  time  (Oh,  let  my  languid  sons 
Resume  their  spirit  at  tlie  rousing  thought  !  ) 
When  all  the  pride  of  S]>ain,  in  one  dread  fleet. 
Swelled  o'er  the  laboring  surge  ;  like  a  whole  heaven 
Of  clouds,  wide  rolled  before  the  boundless  breeze. 
Gayly  the  splendid  armament  along 
Exultant  plowed,  reflecting  a  red  gleam. 
As  sunk  the  sun,  o'er  all  the  flaming  Vast  ; 
Tall,  gorgeous,  and  elate  ;  drunk  with  the  dream 
Of  easy  conquest  ;   while  their  bloated  war. 
Stretched  out  from  sky  to  sky,  their  gathered  force 
(3f  ages  held  in  its  capacious  woml). 
But,  soon,  regardless  of  the  cumbrous  pomp, 
My  dauntless  Britons  came,  a  gloomy  few, 
\V  ith  tempest  black,  the  goodly  scene  deformed, 
And  laid  their  glory  waste.     Tiie  bolts  of  fate 
Resistless  thundered  through  their  yielding  sides  ; 
Fierce  o'er  their  l>cauty  blazed  tlu^  lurid  flame  ; 
And  seized  in  horrid  grasp,  or  shattered  wide, 


988  BRITANNIA. 

Amid  the  mighty  waters,  deep  they  sunt 
Then  too  from  every  promontory  chill, 
Rank  fen,  and  cavern  where  the  wild  wave  works, 
I  swept  confederate  winds,  and  swelled  a  storm. 
Round  the  glad  isle,  snatched  by  the  vengeful  blast, 
The  scattered  remnants  drove  ;  on  the  blind  shelve, 
And  pointed  rock,  that  marks  tlie  indented  shore, 
Relentless  dashed,  where  loud  the  northern  main, 
Howls  through  the  fractured  Caledonian  isles. 

"  Such  were  the  dawnings  of  my  watery  reign  ; 
But  since  how  vast  it  grew,  how  absolute, 
E'en  in  those  troubled  times,  when  dreadful  Blake 
Awed  angry  nations  with  the  British  name, 
Let  every  humbled  state,  let  Europe  say, 
Sustained,  and  balanced,  by  my  naval  arm. 
Ah,  what  must  those  immortal  spirits  think 
Of  your  poor  shifts  ?  Those,  for  their  country's  good, 
Who  faced  the  blackest  danger,  knew  no  fear, 
No  mean  submission,  but  commanded  peace. 
Ah,  how  with  indignation  must  they  burn  ! 
(If  aught  but  joy  can  touch  ethereal  breasts) 
With  shame  !  with  grief  !  to  see  their  feeble  sons 
Shrink  from  that  empire  o'er  the  conquered  seas, 
For  which  their  wisdom  planned,  their  council  glowed 
And  their  veins  bled  through  many  a  toiling  age  !  * 

"  Oh,  first  of  human  blessings  !  and  supreme  ! 
Fair  Peace  !  how  lovely,  how  delightful  thou  ! 
By  whose  wide  tie  the  kindred  sons  of  men 
Like  brothers  live,  in  amity  combined 
And  unsuspicious  faith  ;  while  honest  toil 
Gives  every  joy,  and  to  those  joys  a  right. 
Which  idle,  barbarous  rapine  but  usurps. 
Pure  is  thy  reign  ;  when,  unaccursed  by  blood. 
Naught,  save  the  sweetness  of  indulgent  showers, 
Trickling  distills  into  the  verdant  glebe  ; 
Instead  of  mangled  carcasses,  sad-seen, 

•  It  is  the  ministry  of  Waipole,  recently  liiuded  to  the  skieg 
for  transcendent  patriotism,  in  tlie  dcdiciition  of  tiie  lines  to 
the  memory  of  Sir  Isaac  Newton,  that  is  here  cimiged  with 
having  brought  England  to  this  condition  of  degradation. 


BRITANNIA.  ^d 

"When  the  blithe  sheaves  lie  scattered  o'er  the  field  ; 

When  only  shining  shares,  the  crooked  knife, 

And  hooks  imprint  the  vegetable  wound  ; 

When  the  land  blushes  with  the  rose  alone, 

The  failing  fruitage,  and  the  bleeding  vine, 

Oh,  Peace  !  thou  source  and  soul  of  social  life, 

Beneath  whose  calm  inspiring  influence, 

Science  his  views  enlarges.  Art  refines, 

And  swelling  Commerce  opens  all  her  ports  ; 

Blessed  be  the  man  divine  who  gives  us  thee  ! 

Who  bids  the  trumpet  hush  its  horrid  clang, 

Nor  blow  the  giddy  nations  into  rage  ; 

Who  sheaths  the  murderous  blade  ;  the  deadly  gun 

Into  the  well-piled  armory  returns  ; 

And  every  vigor,  from  the  work  of  death 

To  grateful  industry  converting,  makes 

The  country  flourish,  and  the  city  smile. 

Unviolated,  him  the  virgin  sings  ; 

And  him  the  smiling  mother  to  her  train  ; 

Of  him  the  shepherd,  in  the  peaceful  dale. 

Chants  ;  and,  the  treasures  of  liis  labor  sure, 

The  husbandman  of  him,  as  at  the  plow, 

Or  team,  he  toils  ;  with  him  the  sailor  soothes, 

Beneath  the  trembling  moon,  the  midnight  wave  ; 

And  the  full  city,  warm,  from  street  to  street, 

And  shop  to  shop,  responsive,  rings  of  him. 

Nor  joys  on  land  alone  :  his  praise  extends 

Far  as  the  sun  rolls  the  diffusive  day  ; 

Far  as  the  breeze  can  bear  the  gifts  of  peace, 

Till  all  the  happy  nations  catch  the  song. 

"  What   would   not.   Peace  !    the   patriot  bear  foi 
thee  ? 
What  painful  paiicncc?     What  incessant  care? 
What  mixed  anxiety  ?     What  sleepless  toil  ? 
E'en  from  the  rash  protected  wiiat  reproach? 
For  he  thy  value  knows  ;  thy  friendship  he 
To  human  nature  !  but  the  better  thou. 
The  richer  of  delight,  suriietiines  the  moro 
Inevitable,  war,  wlieii  rufliaii  force 
Awakes  the  fury  of  an  injured  state. 


Ulb  BRITANNtA. 

E'en  the  good  patient  man  whom  reason  rules, 
Roused  by  bold  insult,  and  injurious  rage, 
With  sharp  and  sudden  check  the  astonished  sons 
Of  violence  confounds  ;  firm  as  his  cause, 
His  bolder  heart,  in  awful  justice  clad  ; 
His  eyes  effulging  a  peculiar  fire  ; 
And  as  he  charges  through  the  prostrate  war, 
His  keen  arm  teaches  faithless  men  no  more 
To  dare  the  sacred  vengeance  of  the  just. 

"  And  what,  my  thoughtless  sons,  should  fire  you 
more 
Than  when  your  well-earned  empire  of  the  deep 
The  least  beginning  injury  receives? 
What  better  cause  can  call  your  lightning  forth? 
Your  thunder  wake  ?  your  dearest  life  demand  ? 
What  better  cause,  than  when  your  country  sees 
The  sly  destruction  at  her  vitals  aimed  ? 
For  oh  !  it  much  imports  you,  'tis  your  all, 
To  keep  your  trade  entire,  entire  the  force 
And  honor  of  your  fleets  ;  o'er  that  to  watch, 
E'en  with  a  hand  severe,  and  jealous  eye. 
In  intercourse  be  gentle,  generous,  just, 
By  wisdom  polished,  and  of  manners  fair  ; 
But  on  the  sea  be  terrible,  untamed. 
Unconquerable  still  :  let  none  escape, 
Who  shall  but  aim  to  touch  your  glory  there. 
Is  there  the  man  into  the  lion's  den 
Who  dares  intrude,  to  snatch  his  young  away  ? 
And  is  a  Briton  seized  ?  and  seized  beneath 
The  slumbering  terrors  of  a  British  fleet  ? 
Then  ardent  rise  !     Oh,  great  in  vengeance  rise  I 
O'erturn  the  proud,  teach  rapine  to  restore. 
And  as  you  ride  sublimely  round  the  world, 
Make  every  vessel  stoop,  make  every  state 
At  once  their  welfare  and  their  duly  know. 
This  is  your  glory  ;  this  your  wisdom  ;  this 
'I'he  native  power  for  whi(;h  you  were  designed 
By  fate,  when  fate  designed  the  firmest  state 
That  e'er  was  seated  on  the  siibjct  sea  ; 
A  state,  alone,  where  Liberty  should  live. 


BRITANNIA.  84J 

In  these  late  times,  this  eveninj?  of  mankind, 

When  Athens,  Rome,  and  Carlhage  are  no  more, 

The  world  almost  in  slavisli  sloth  dissolved. 

For  this,  these  rocks  around  your  coast  wore  throw*  : 

For  this,  yoiir  oaks,  peculiar  liardcncd,  shoot 

Strong  into  sturdy  growth  ;  for  this,  your  liearts 

Swell  wdth  a  sullen  courage,  growing  still 

As  danger  grows  ;  and  strength,  and  toil  for  thLi 

Are  liberal  poured  o'er  all  the  fervent  land. 

Then  cherish  this,  this  unexpeusive  power, 

Undangerous  to  the  public,  ever  prompt. 

By  lavish  nature  thrust  into  your  hand  ; 

And,  unencumbered  with  the  bulk  immense 

Of  conquest,  whence  huge  empires  rose  and  fell 

Self-crushed,  extend  your  reign  from  shore  to  sjjor*, 

Where'er  the  wind  your  high  behests  can  blow. 

And  fix  it  deep  on  this  eternal  base. 

For  should  the  sliding  fabric  once  give  way. 

Soon  slackened  quite,  and  past  recovery  broke, 

It  gathers  ruin  as  it  rolls  along, 

Steep  rushing  down  to  that  devouring  gulf, 

WTiere  many  a  mighty  em})ire  ])uried  lies. 

And  should  the  big  redundant  flood  of  trade. 

In  which  ten  thousand  thousand  labors  join 

Their  several  currents,  till  the  boandk'ss  tide 

Rolls  in  a  radiant  deluge  o'er  the  land  ; 

Should  this  bright  stream,  the  least  infected,  point 

Its  course  another  way,  o'er  otlier  lands 

The  various  treasure  would  resistless  pour 

Ne'er  to  be  won  again  ;  its  ancient  tract 

Left  a  vih;  channel,  desolate,  and  dead. 

With  all  around  a  miserabh'  waste. 

Not  Egypt,  were  her  bettei'  heaven,  the  Nile, 

Turned  in  the  pride  of  flow  ;   when  o\'r  his  rocks, 

And  roaring  eatai-acts,  beyond  the  reaeli 

Of  diz/y  vision  ]»i!ed,  in  one  wide  Hash 

An  Krhioj/ian  deluge  foiuns  amain 

(Whence  wondering  f;ible  tra'-i'd  him  from  the  sky); 

E'l'U  not  that  prime;  of  earth,  where  iiarvests  crowd 

On  untilji'd  harvests,  all  the  teeming  year, 


S49  BRITANNIA. 

If  of  the  fat  o'erflowing  culture  robbed, 
Were  then  a  more  uncomfortable  wild, 
Sterile,  and  void,  than,  of  her  trade  deprived, 
Britons,  your  boasted  isle  :  her  princes  sunk  ; 
Her  high  built  honor  raoldered  to  the  dust  ; 
Unnerved  her  force  ;  her  spirit  vanquished  quite  ; 
With  rapid  wing  her  riches  fled  away  ; 
Her  unfrequented  ports  alone  the  sign 
Of  what  she  was  ;  her  merchants  scattered  wide  ; 
Her  hollow  shops  shut  up  ;  and  in  her  streets, 
Her  fields,  woods,  markets,  villages,  and  roads. 
The  cheerful  voice  of  labor  heard  no  more. 

"  Oh,  let  not  then  waste  luxury  impair 
That  manly  soul  of  toil  which  strings  your  nerves, 
And  your  own  proper  happiness  creates  ! 
Oh,  let  not  the  soft,  penetrating  plague 
Creep  on  the  freeborn  mind  !  and  working  there. 
With  the  sharp  tooth  of  many  a  new-formed  want^ 
Endless,  and  idle  all,  eat  out  the  heart 
Of  liberty  ;  the  liigh  conception  blast 
The  noble  sentiment,  the  impatient  scorn 
Of  base  subjection,  and  the  swelling  wish 
For  general  good,  erasing  from  the  mind  ; 
While  naught  save  nai'row  selfishness  succeeds. 
And  low  design,  the  sneaking  passions  all 
Let  loose,  and  reigning  in  the  rankled  breast. 
Induced  at  last,  by  scarce  perceived  degrees, 
Sapping  the  very  frame  of  government 
And  life,  a  total  dissolution  comes  ; 
Sloth,  ignorance,  dejection,  flattery,  fear. 
Oppression  raging  o'er  the  waste  he  makes  ; 
The  human  being  almost  quite  extinct  : 
And  the  whole  state  in  broad  corruption  sinki. 
Oh,  shun  that  gulf  :  that  gaping  ruin  shun  ! 
And  countless  ages  roll  it  far  away 
From  you,  ye  heaven  beloved  !     May  liberty, 
The  light  of  life  !   the  sun  of  humankind  ! 
Whence  heroes,  bards,  and  patriots  borrow  flame, 
E'en  where  the  keen  depressive  norLii  descends, 
*Still  spread,  exalt,  and  actuate  your  powers, 


tN  THE  DEA  TH  OF  MR.  AIKMAN.  Sa 

While  slavish  southern  climates  beam  in  vain  ; 
And  may  a  public  spirit  from  the  throne, 
Where  every  virtue  sits,  go  copious  forth, 
Live  o'er  the  land  ;  the  finer  arts  inspire  ; 
Make  thoughtful  Science  raise  his  pensive  head  ; 
IJlow  the  fresh  bay,  bid  Industry  rejoice. 
And  the  rough  sons  of  lowest  labor  smile  : 
As  when,  profuse  of  Spring,  the  loosened  West 
Lifts  up  the  pining  year,  and  balmy  breathes 
Youth,  life,  and  love,  and  beauty  o'er  the  world. 

"  But  haste  we  from  these  melancholy  shores, 
Nor  to  deaf  winds,  and  waves,  our  fruitless  plaint 
Pour  weak  ;  the  country  claims  our  active  aid  ; 
Then  let  us  roam  :  and  where  we  find  a  spark 
Of  public  virtue,  blow  it  into  flame. 
Lo  !  now,  my  sons,  the  sons  of  freedom  !  meet 
\\\  awful  senate  ;  thither  let  us  fly  ; 
Burn  in  the  patriot's  thought,  flow  from  his  tongue 
In  fearless  truth  ;  myself  transformed,  preside, 
And  shed  the  spirit  of  Britannia  round." 

This  said  ;  her  fleeting  form  and  airy  train 
Sunk  in  the  gale  ;  and  naught  but  ragged  rocks 
Rushed  on  the  broken  eye  ;  and  naught  was  heard 
But  the  rough  cadence  of  the  dashing  wave. 


ON  THE  DEATH  OF  MR.  AIRMAN.* 

Oh,  couhl  I  draw,  ray  friend,  my  genuine  mind. 
Just  as  tlie  living  forms  by  thee  designed  ; 
Of  Rai^hael's  figures  none  sliould  fairer  shine. 
Nor  Titian's  colors  longer  last  than  mine. 
A  mind  in  wisdom  old,  in  lenience  young. 


*  Mr.  Williiini  Aikmaii  was  n  native  of  Scotland,  where  he 
waH  Ijorii  in  ]()82.  1I(;  studied  under  Mcdinda  ;  afterwards 
visited  London,  fiavelcd  lo  Italy  and  Turkey,  and  returned  to 
S<;otland.  n(;  Huhse()uent.ly  setllcd  in  liondon,  hut,  fulling  into 
a  ianj^uisliint,^  diHteniixM',  lie  died  at  iiw  liou.se  in  Leicester-fleld* 
in  Jiuie  1721.  Aikinan  painted  the  portraits  of  many  of  lb* 
nobility. 


tU  ON  THE  DEA  TH  OF  MR.  AlKMAff. 

From  fervent  truth  where  every  virtue  sprang  ; 

Where  all  was  real,  modest,  plain,  sincere  ; 

Worth  above  show,  and  goodness  unsevere. 

Viewed  round  and  round,  as  lucid  diamonds  throw 

Still  as  you  turn  them  a  revolving  glow, 

So  did  his  mind  reflect  with  secret  ray, 

In  various  virtues.  Heaven's  internal  day  ; 

Whether  in  high  discourse  it  soared  sublime, 

And  sprung  impatient  o'er  the  bounds  of  Time, 

Or  wandering  nature  through  with  raptured  eye, 

Adored  the  hand  that  turned  the  azure  sky  ; 

Whether  to  social  life  he  bent  his  thought. 

And  the  right  poise  of  mingling  passions  sought 

Gay  converse  blessed  ;  or  in  the  thoughtful  grove 

Bid  the  heart  open  every  source  of  love  ; 

New  varying  lights  still  set  before  your  eyes 

The  just,  the  good,  the  social,  or  the  wise. 

For  such  a  death  who  can,  who  would  refuse 

The  friend  a  tear,  a  verse  the  mournful  muse  ? 

Yet  pay  we  just  acknowledgment  to  heaven, 

Though  snatched  so  soon,  that  Aikman  e'er  was  given, 

A  friend,  when  dead,  is  but  removed  from  sight, 

Hid  in  the  luster  of  eternal  light ; 

Oft  with  the  mind  he  wonted  converse  keeps 

In  the  lone  walk,  or  when  the  body  sleeps 

Lets  in  a  wandering  ray,  and  all  elate 

Wings  and  attracts  her  to  another  state  ; 

And,  when  the  parting  storms  of  life  are  o'er. 

May  yet  rejoin  him  in  a  happier  shore. 

As  those  we  love,  decay,  we  die  in  part, 

String  after  string  is  severed  from  the  heart ; 

Till  loosened  life  at  last  —  but  breathing  clay. 

Without  one  pang,  is  glad  to  fall  away. 

Unhappy  he  who  latest  feels  the  blow. 

Whose  eyes  have  wept  o'er  every  friend  laid  low, 

Dragged  lingering  on  from  partial  death  to  death  \ 

And  dying,  all  he  can  resign  is  breath. 


ON  MJiS.  MENDEZ:  BIRTHDAY,  8-16 

ON  MRS.  MENDEZ'  BIRTHDAY. 

WHO   WAS   BOBN     ON     VALENTINb's   DAT. 

Think  is  the  gentle  day  of  love, 

When  youths  and  virgins  try  their  fate  j 

When,  deep  retiring  to  the  grove, 

Each  feathered  songster  weds  his  mate. 

With  tempered  beams  the  skies  are  bright. 
Earth  decks  in  smiles  her  pleasing  face  ; 

Such  is  the  day  that  gave  thee  light, 
And  speaks  as  such  thy  every  grace. 


ON  THE  REPORT  THAT  A  WOODEN  BRIDGB 

WAS    TO    BE    BUILT    AT    WESTMINSTBE. 

By  Rufus'  hall,  where  Thames  polluted  flows. 
Provoked,  the  Genius  of  the  river  rose, 
And  thus  exclaimed  :  "  Have  I,  ye  British  swains, 
Have  I  for  ages  laved  your  fertile  plains  ? 
Given  herds,  and  flocks,  and  villages  increase, 
And  fed  a  richer  than  a  golden  fleece  ? 
Have  I,  ye  merchants,  with  each  swcljing  tide, 
Poured  Afric's  treasure  in,  and  India's  pride  ? 
Lent  you  the  fruit  of  every  nation's  toil  ? 
Made  every  climate  yours  and  every  soil  ? 
Yet,  pilfered  from  the  poor,  by  gaming  base. 
Yet  must  a  wooden  bridge  by  waves  disgrace? 
Tell  not  to  foreign  streams  llio  shameful  tale. 
And  be  it  published  in  no  (4allic  vale." 
He  said  ;  and  j)lunging  to  his  crystal  dome, 
While  o'er  his  head  the  circling  waters  foam. 


846  TO  THE  PRINCE  OF  WALES. 

TO  HIS  ROYAL  HIGHNESS  THE  PRINCE  OF 
WALES. 

While  secret-leaguing  nations  frown  around, 
Ready  to  pour  the  long-expected  storm  ; 

While  she,  who  wont  the  restless  Gaul  to  bound, 
Brittania,  drooping,  grows  an  empty  form  ; 

While  on  our  vitals  selfish  parties  prey. 

And  deep  corruption  eats  our  soul  away  ; 

Yet  in  the  Goddess  of  the  Main  appears 
A  gleam  of  joy,  gay-flushing  every  grace, 

As  she  the  cordial  voice  of  millions  hears, 
Rejoicing,  zealous,  o'er  thy  rising  race  : 

Straight  her  rekindling  eyes  resume  their  fire. 

The  Virtues  smile,  the  Muses  tune  the  lyre. 

But  more  enchanting  than  the  Muse's  song. 
United  Britons  thy  dear  offspring  hail  ;* 

The  city  triumphs  through  her  glowing  throng, 
The  shepherd  tells  his  transport  to  the  dale  ; 

The  sons  of  roughest  toil  forget  their  pain. 

And  the  glad  sailors  cheer  the  midnight  main. 

Can  aught  from  fair  Augusta's  f  gentle  blood. 

And  thine,  thou  friend  of  liberty  !   be  born  ; 
Can  aught  save  what  is  lovely,  generous,  good  ; 

What  will,  at  once,  defend  us,  and  adorn  ? 
From  thence,  prophetic  joy  !  new  Edwards  eyes, 
Kew  Henries,  Annas,  and  Elizas  rise. 

May  fate  my  fond  devoted  days  extend 

To  sing  the  promised  glories  of  thy  reign  ! 
What  though,  by  years  depressed,  my  muse  might 
bend, 

*  The  elder  brotlier  of  George  III. 

f  The    Princess  Augusta  of  8axe  Gotlia,  maiTied  to  Fred 
•rick.  Priuce  of  Wales. 


TO  THE  MEMORY  OF  LORD  TALBOT.        34" 

My  heart  will  teacli  her  still  a  noble  strain  : 
How,  with  recovered  Britain,  will  she  soar. 
When  France  insults,  and  Spain  shall  rob  no  mor«. 


TO  THE 


MEMORY    OF  THE    RIGHT   HON.    LORD 
TALBOT,* 

LATE  CHANCELLOR    OP  GREAT   BBITAHT. 
ADDRESSED  TO  HIS  SON. 

While  with  the  public,  you,  my  Lord,  lament 

A  friend  and  father  lost ;  permit  the  muse. 

The  muse  assigned  of  old  a  double  tbeme. 

To  praise  dead  worth  and  humble  living  pride, 

Whose  generous  task  begins  where  interest  ends  ; 

Permit  her  on  a  Talbot's  tomb  to  lay 

This  cordial  verse  sincere,  by  truth  inspired. 

Which  means  not  to  bestow  but  borrow  fame. 

Yes,  she  may  sing  his  matchless  virtues  now  — 

Unhappy  that  she  may. —  But  where  begin  ? 

How  from  the  diamond  single  out  each  ray. 

Where  all,  though  trembling  with  ten  thousand  iMiesi 

Effuse  one  dazzling  undivided  light  ? 

Let  the  low-minded  of  these  narrow  days 
No  more  presume  to  deem  the  lofty  tale 
Of  ancient  times,  in  pity  to  their  own, 
Romance.     In  Talbot  we  united  saw 
The  piercing  eye,  the  quick  enlightened  soul. 
The  graceful  ease,  the  lowering  tongue  of  Greeofl^ 
Joined  to  the  virtues  and  the  force  of  Rome. 

Eternal  wisdom,  that  all-<iiiickeiiiiig  sun, 
Whence  every  life,  in  just  ])roporti()ii.  draws 


*  Lord  Talbot  received  the  great  seal  on  the  29lh  of  Novem- 
ber, 1733.  He  was  born  in  1G84.  lie  was  8eizecl  with  aspasoi 
la  the  heart,  aud  expired  oix  the  14lh  Fehruary,  1737 


848        TO  THE  MEMORY  OF  LORD  TALBOT. 

Directing  light  and  actuating  flame, 
Ne'er  with  a  larger  portion  of  its  beams 
Awakened  mortal  clay.     Hence  steady,  calm. 
Diffusive,  deep,  and  clear,  his  reason  saw, 
With  instantaneous  view,  the  truth  of  things  ; 
Chief  what  to  human  life  and  human  bliss 
Pertains,  that  noblest  science,  lit  for  man  : 
And  hence,  responsive  to  his  knowledge,  glowed 
His  ardent  virtue.     Ignorance  and  vice. 
In  consort  foul,  agree  ;  each  heightening  each  ; 
While  virtue  draws  from  knowledge  brighter  fire. 

What  grand,  what  comely,  or  what  tender  sensej 
What  talent  or  what  virtue  was  not  his  ; 
What  that  can  render  man  or  great,  or  good, 
Give  useful  worth,  or  amiable  grace  ? 
Nor  could  he  brook  in  studious  shade  to  lie, 
In  soft  retirement,  indolently  pleased 
With  selfish  peace.     The  siren  of  the  wise 
(Who  steals  the  Aonian  song,  and,  in  the  shape 
Of  Virtue,  woos  them  from  a  worthless  world), 
Though  deep  he  felt  her  charms,  could  never  melt 
His  strenuous  spirit,  recollected,  calm. 
As  silent  night,  yet  active  as  the  day. 
The  more  the  bold,  the  bustling,  and  the  bad. 
Press  to  usurp  the  reins  of  power,  the  more 
Behooves  it  virtue,  with  indignant  zeal. 
To  check  their  combination.     Shall  low  views 
Of  sneaking  interest  or  luxurious  vice. 
The  villain's  passions,  quicken  more  to  toil. 
And  dart  a  livelier  vigor  through  the  soul, 
Than  those  that,  mingled  with  our  truest  good 
With  present  honor  and  immortal  fame, 
Involve  the  good  of  all  ?     An  empty  form 
Is  the  weak  Virtue,  that  amid  the  shade 
Lamenting  lies,  with  future  schemes  amused, 
Wliiie  wickedness  and  I^^olly,  kindred  powers, 
Confound  the  world.     A  Talbot's,  different  far, 
Sprung  ardent  into  action  ;  action,  that  disdained 
To  lose  in  deathlike  sloth  one  pulse  of  life, 
That  might  be  saved  ;  disdained  for  coward  ease. 


rO  THE  MEMORY  OF  LORD  TALBOT.        84d 

And  her  insipid  pleasures,  to  resign 
The  prize  of  glory,  tlie  keen  sweets  of  toil, 
And  those  high  joys  that  teaeli  tlie  truly  great 
To  live  for  others,  and  for  olhei-s  die. 

Early,  behold  !  he  breaks  benign  on  life. 
Not  breathing  more  beneficence,  the  Spring 
ijeads  in  her  swelling  train  the  gentle  airs  ; 
While  gay,  behind  her,  stniles  the  kindling  waste 
Of  ruffian  storms  and  Winter's  lawless  rage. 
In  him  Astrea,  to  this  dim  abode 
Of  ever  wandering  men,  returned  ajram  : 
To  bless  them  his  delight,  to  bring  them  back 
From  thorny  error,  from  unjoyous  wrong, 
Into  the  paths  of  kind  primeval  faith. 
Of  happiness  and  justice.     All  his  ])arts, 
His  virtues  all,  collected,  sought  the  good 
Of  humankind.     For  that  he,  fervent,  felt 
The  throb  of  patriots,  when  they  model  states  ; 
Anxious  for  that,  nor  needful  sleep  could  hold 
His  still-awakened  soul  ;  nor  friends  had  charms 
To  steal,  with  pleasing  guile,  one  useful  hour  ; 
Toil  knew  no  languor,  no  attraction  joy. 
Thus  with  unwearied  steps,  by  Virtue  led, 
He  gained  the  summit  of  that  sacred  hill, 
Where,  raised  above  })Iack  Envy's  darkening  clouds, 
Her  spotless  temj)le  lifts  its  radiant  front. 
Be  named,  victorious  ravagers,  no  more  ! 
Vanish,  ye  human  comets  !  shrink  your  blaze  1 
Ye  that  your  glory  to  your  terrors  owe, 
A.8,  o'er  the  gazing  desolated  earlh, 
STou  scatter  famine,  pestilence  and  war  ; 
Vanish  !  before  this  vernal  sun  of  fame  ; 
Effulgent  sweetness  !  beaming  life  and  joy. 

How  the  heart  listened  while  he,  pleading,  spoke  J 
While  on  the  enlightened  mind,  with  wiiming  art, 
His  gentle  reason  so  ])ersuasive  stole. 
That  the  charmed  hearer  tiioiight  it  was  his  own. 
Ah  !    when,  ye  studious  of  the  laws,  again 
Shall  such  enchanting  lessons  bless  your  ear? 
When  shall  again  the  darkest  truths,  perplexed, 


860         TO  THE  MEMORY  OF  LORD   TALBOT. 

Be  set  in  ample  day  ?  when  shall  the  harsh 

And  arduous  open  into  smiling  ease  ? 

The  solid  mix  with  elegant  delight  ? 

His  was  the  talent,  with  the  purest  light 

At  once  to  pour  conviction  on  the  soul, 

And  warm  with  lawful  tiame  the  impassioned  heart 

That  dangerous  gift  with  him  was  safely  lodged 

By  heaven  —  He,  sacred  to  his  country's  cause, 

To  trample  want  and  worth,  to  suffering  right, 

To  the  lone  widow's  and  her  orphan's  woes. 

Reserved  the  mighty  charm.     With  equal  brow, 

Despising  then  the  smiles  or  frowns  of  power, 

He  all  that  noblest  eloquence  effused, 

Which  generous  passion,  taught  by  reason,  breathe* 

Then  spoke  the  man  ;  and.  over  barren  art, 

Prevailed  abundant  nature.     Freedom  then 

His  client  was,  humanity  and  truth. 

Placed  on  the  seat  of  justice,  there  he  reigned. 
In  a  superior  sphere  of  cloudless  day, 
A  pure  intelligence.     No  tumult  there, 
No  dark  emotion,  no  intemperate  heat. 
No  passion  e'er  disturbed  the  clear  serene 
That  round  him  spread.     A  zeal  for  right  alone. 
The  love  of  justice,  like  the  steady  sun. 
Its  equal  ardor  lent  ;  and,  sometimes,  raised 
Against  the  sons  of  violence,  of  pride, 
And  bold  deceit,  his  indignation  gleamed. 
Yet  still  by  sober  dignity  restrained. 
As  intuition  quick,  he  snatched  the  truth, 
Yet  with  progressive  patience,  stej)  by  step. 
Self-diffident,  or  to  the  slower  kind. 
He  through  the  maze  of  falsehood  traced  it  on. 
Till,  at  the  last,  evolved,  it  full  appeared, 
And  e'en  the  loser  owned  the  just  decree. 

But  when  in  senates,  he,  to  freedom  firm. 
Enlightened  freedom,  planned  salubrious  laws, 
His  various  learning,  his  wide  knowledge,  then, 
His  insight  deep  into  Britannia's  weal, 
Spontaneous  seemed  from  simple  sense  to  flow, 
And  the  plain  patriot  smoothed  the  brow  of  law. 


TO  THE  MEMORY  OF  LORD  TALBOT.         361 

No  spacious  swell,  no  frothy  pomp  of  word^* 
Fell  on  the  cheated  ear  :  no  studied  maze 
Of  declamation,  to  perplex  the  right. 
He  darkening  threw  around  ;  safe  in  itself, 
In  its  own  force  ;  all-powerful  Reason  spoke  ; 
While  on  the  great,  the  ruling  point,  at  once, 
lie  streamed  decisive  day,  and  showed  it  vain 
To  lengthen  further  out  the  clear  debate. 
Conviction  breathes  conviction  ;  to  the  heart. 
Poured  ardent  forth  in  eloquence  unbid. 
The  heart  attends  :  for  let  the  venal  try 
Their  every  hardening,  stupefying  art. 
Truth  must  prevail,  zeal  will  enkindle  zeal, 
And  Nature,  skillful  touched,  is  honest  still. 

Behold  him  in  the  councils  of  iiis  prince. 
What  faithful  light  he  lends  !  How  rare,  in  uourta 
Such  wisdom  !  such  abilities  !  and  joined 
To  virtue  so  determined,  ])ublic  zeal, 
And  honor  of  such  adamantine  proof, 
As  e'en  corruption,  hopeless,  and  o'erawed, 
Durst  not  have  tempted  !  yet  of  manners  mild. 
And  winning  every  heart  he  knew  to  please, 
Nobly  to  please  ;  while  equally  he  scorned 
Or  adulation  to  receive,  or  give. 
IIa{>py  the  state,  where  wakes  a  ruling  eye 
Of  such  inspection  keen,  and  general  care  J 
Beneath  a  guard  so  vigilant,  so  pure, 
Toil  may  resign  his  careless  head  to  rest, 
And  ever-jealous  freedom  sleep  in  peace. 
Ah  !  lost  untimely  !  lost  in  downward  days  I 
And  many  a  ])atriot-counsel  M'illi  him  lost  ! 
Counsels,  that  might  have  hiiiiiblcil  Britain's  foe 
Her  nativ^e  f(K',  from  eldest  time  by  fate 
Am>oii)ted,  as  did  once  a  Talbot's  arms. 

Let  learning,  arts,  let  universal  worth, 
Lament  a  patron  lost,  a  friend  and  judge, 
Unlike  the  sons  of  vanity,  that,  veiled 
Beneath  the  ])atron's  jirostitutcd  n.'ime, 
Dare  sacri<ic(!  a  worthy  man  to  j)ri<ie, 
And  flush  confusion  o'er  an  honest  cheek. 


85S        TO  THE  MEMORY  OF  LORD  TALBOT. 

When  he  conferred  a  grace,  it  seemed  a  debt 

Which  he  to  merit,  to  the  public,  paid, 

And  to  the  great  all-bounteous  Source  of  good  ! 

His  sympathizing  heart  itself  received 

The  generous  obligation  he  bestowed. 

This,  this  indeed,  is  patronizing  worth. 

Their  kind  protector  him  the  Muses  own, 

But  scorn  with  noble  pride  the  boasted  aid 

Of  tasteless  vanity's  insulting  hand. 

The  gracious  stream,  that  cheers  the  lettered  worl^ 

Is  not  the  noisy  gift  of  summer's  noon, 

Whose  sudden  current,  from  the  naked  root, 

Washes  the  little  soil  which  yet  remained. 

And  only  more  dejects  the  blushing  flowers  : 

No,  'tis  the  soft-descending  dews  at  eve, 

The  silent  treasures  of  the  vernal  year, 

Indulging  deep  their  stores,  the  still  night  long  ; 

Till,  with  returning  morn,  the  freshened  world, 

Is  fragrance  all,  all  beauty,  joy,  and  song. 

Still  let  me  view  him  in  the  pleasing  light 
Of  private  life,  where  pomp  forgets  to  glare, 
And  where  the  plain  unguarded  soul  is  seen. 
There,  with  the  truest  greatness  he  appeared. 
Which  thinks  not  of  appearing  ;  kindly  veiled 
In  the  soft  graces  of  the  friendly  scene, 
Inspiring  social  confidence  and  ease. 
As  free  the  converse  of  the  wise  and  good, 
As  joyous,  disentangling  every  power. 
And  breathing  mixed  improvement  with  delight 
As  when  amid  the  various-blossomed  spring, 
Or  gentle  beaming  autumn's  pensive  shade, 
The  philosophic  mind  with  nature  talks. 
Say  ye,  his  sons,  his  dear  remains,  with  whom 
The  father  laid  superfluous  state  aside, 
Yet  raised  your  filial  duty  thence  the  more, 
With  friendship  raised  it,  with  esteem,  with  loviv 
Beyond  the  ties  of  love,  oh  !  speak  the  joy, 
The  pure  serene,  the  cheerful  vision  mild. 
The  virtuous  spirit,  which  his  vacant  hours, 
In  aemblance  of  amusement,  through  the  breait, 


TO  THE  MEMORY  OF  LORD  TALBOT.        358 

Infused.     And  thou,  O  Bundle  !  *  lend  thy  strain, 
Thou  darling  friend  !  thou  brother  of  his  soul ! 
In  whom  the  head  and  heart  their  stores  unite  ; 
Whatever  fancy  paints,  invention  pours, 
Judgment  digests,  the  well-tuned  bosom  feelg, 
Truth  natural,  moral,  or  divine,  has  taught, 
The  virtues  dictate,  or  the  Muses  sing, 
Lend  me  the  plaint,  which,  to  the  lonely  main, 
With  memory  conversing,  you  will  pour, 
As  on  the  pebbled  shore  you,  pensive,  stray. 
Where  Derry's  mountains  a  bleak  crescent  form. 
And  mid  their  ample  round  receive  the  waves. 
That  from  the  frozen  pole,  resounding,  rush, 
Impetuous.     Though  from  native  sunshine  driven, 
Driven  from  your  friends,  the  sunshine  of  the  soul^ 
By  slanderous  zeal,  and  politics  infirm, 
Jealous  of  worth  ;  yet  will  you  bless  your  lot. 
Yet  will  you  triumph  in  your  glorious  fate, 
Whence  Talbot's  friendship  glows  to  future  times, 
Intrepid,  warm  ;  of  kindred  tempers  born  ; 
Nursed,  by  experience,  into  slow  esteem. 
Calm  confidence  unbounded,  love  not  blind. 
And  the  sweet  light  from  mingled  minds  disclosed, 
From  mingled  chymic  oils  as  burst  the  fire. 

I  too  remember  well  that  cheerful  bowl, 
Which  round  his  table  flowed.     The  serious  there 
Mixed  with  the  sportive,  with  the  learned  the  plain 
Mirth  softened  wisdom,  candor  tempered  mirth  ; 
And  with  its  honey  lent,  without  the  sting. 
Not  simple  nature's  unaffected  sons. 
The  blameless  Indians,  round  their  forest-che«r. 
In  sunny  lawn  or  shady  covert  set, 
Hold  more  unspotted  converse  ;  nor  of  old, 
Rome's  awful  consuls,  her  dictator  swains. 
As  on  the  product  of  their  Sabine  r.u-iiiH 
They  fared,  with  stricter  virtue  fed  the  soul, 
Nor  yet  in  Athens,  at  an  Attic  meal, 
Where  Socrates  presided,  fairer  truth, 
More  elegant  humanity,  mon;  grace. 


Dr.  Kundic,  Bislidp  of  Dcrrv,  in  lielaud. 


154        TO  THE  AfEMOR  Y  OF  LORD  TALBOT. 

Wit  more  refined,  or  deeper  science  reigned. 

But  far  beyond  the  little  vulgar  bounds 
Of  family,  or  friends,  or  native  land, 
IJy  just  degrees,  and  with  proportioned  flame 
Extended  his  benevolence  :  a  friend 
To  humankind,  to  parent  nature's  works. 
Of  free  access,  and  of  engaging  grace, 
Such  as  a  brother  to  a  brother  owes, 
He  kept  an  open  judging  ear  for  all, 
And  spread  an  open  countenance,  whgre  smiled 
The  fair  effulgence  of  an  open  heart ; 
While  on  the  rich,  the  poor,  the  high,  the  low, 
With  equal  ray,  his  ready  goodness  shone : 
For  nothing  human  foreign  was  to  him. 

Thus  to  a  dread  inheritance,  my  Lord, 
And  hard  to  be  supported,  you  succeed  : 
But,  kept  by  virtue,  as  by  virtue  gained. 
It  will,  through  latest  time,  enrich  your  race, 
When  grosser  wealth  shall  molder  into  dust, 
And  with  their  authors  in  oblivion  sunk 
Vain  titles  lie,  the  servile  badges  oft 
Of  mean  submission,  not  the  meed  of  worth. 
True  genuine  honor  its  large  patent  holds 
Of  all  mankind,  through  every  land  and  age, 
Of  universal  reason's  various  sons. 
And  e'en  of  God  himself,  sole  perfect  Judge  t 
Yet  know,  these  noblest  honors  of  the  mind 
On  rigid  terms  descend  :  the  high -placed  heir, 
Scanned  by  the  public  eye,  that,  with  keen  gaxc^ 
Malignant  seeks  out  faults,  cannot  through  life, 
Amid  the  nameless  insects  of  a  court. 
Unheeded  steal  ;  but,  when  his  sire  compared. 
He  must  be  glorious,  or  he  must  be  scorned. 
This  truth  to  you,  who  merit  well  to  bear 
A  name  to  Britons  dear,  the  officious  Muse 
May  safely  sing,  and  sing  without  reserve. 

Vain  were  the  plaint,  and  ignorant  the  tear 
That  should  a  Talbot  mourn.     Ourselves,  indeed, 
Our  country  robbed  of  her  delight  and  strength. 
We  may  lament.     Yet  let  us,  grateful,  ioy 


TO  THE  MEMORY  OF  LORD   TALBOT.        865 

rhat  we  such  virtues  knew,  such  virtues  felt, 
And  feel  them  still,  teaching  our  views  to  rise 
Through  ever-brightening  scenes  of  future  world*. 
Be  dumb,  ye  worst  of  zealots  !  ye  that,  prone 
To  thoughtless  dust,  renounce  that  generous  hope. 
Whence  every  joy  below  its  spirits  draws, 
And  every  pain  its  balm  :  a  Talbot's  light, 
A  Talbot's  virtues,  calm  another  source. 
Than  the  blind  maze  of  undesigniiig  blood  ; 
Nor  when  that  vital  fountain  plays  no  more. 
Can  they  be  quenched  beneath  the  gelid  stream 
Methinks  I  see  his  mounting  spirit,  freed 
From  tangling  earth,  regain  the  realms  of  day. 
Its  native  country  ;  whence  to  bless  mankind, 
Eternal  goodness  on  this  darksome  spot 
Had  rayed  it  down  a  while.     Behold  !  approved 
By  the  tremendous  Judge  of  heavCi    and  earth, 
And  to  the  Almighty  Father's  presence  joined, 
He  takes  his  rank,  in  glory,  and  in  bliss, 
Amid  the  human  worthies.     Glad  around 
Crowd  his  compatriot  shades,  and  point  him  out, 
With  joyful  pride,  Britannia's  blameless  boast. 
Ah  !  who  is  he,  that  with  a  fonder  eye 
Meets  thine  enraptured?  —  'Tis  the  best  of  sons  f 
The  best  of  friends  !  —  Too  soon  is  realized 
That  hope,   which  once  forbade  thy  tears  to  flow 
Meanwhile  the  kindred  souls  of  every  land, 
(Howe'er  divided  in  the  fretful  days 
Of  prejudice  and  error)  mingled  now, 
In  one  selected,  never-jarring  state. 
Where  God  himself  there  only  monanih  reigni, 
Partake  the  joy  ;  yet,  such  the  sense  that  still 
Remains  of  earthly  woes,  for  us  bflow. 
And  tor  our  loss,  they  dro[)  a  ])itying  tear. 
But  cease,  presumptuous  Muse,  nor  vainly  strive 
To  quit  this  cloudy  sphere,  that  binds  thee  down ; 
'Tis  not  for  mortal  hand  to  trace  these  scenes  — 
Scenes,  that  our  gross  ideas  groveling  cast 
Behind,  and  strike  our  boldest  language!  dumb. 
Forgive,  immortal  shade  !   if  aught  from  earth. 


8M  ON  jEOL  USrs  HARP. 

From  dust  low  warbled,  to  those  groves  can  ris*, 

Where  flows  celestial  harmony,  forgive 

This  fond  superfluous  verse.     With  deep-felt  voicCi 

On  every  heart  impressed,  thy  deeds  themselves 

Attest  thy  praise.     Thy  praise  the  widow's  sighs, 

And  orphan's  tears,  embalm.     The  good,  the  bad, 

The  sons  of  justice  and  the  sons  of  strife, 

All  who  or  freedom  or  who  interest  prize, 

A  deep-divided  nation's  parties,  all, 

Conspire  to  swell  thy  spotless  praise  to  Heaven. 

Glad  Heaven  receives  it,  and  seraphic  lyres 

With  songs  of  triumph  thy  arrival  hail. 

How  vain  this  tribute  then  !  this  lowly  lay  I 

Yet  naught  is  vain  that  gratitude  inspires. 

The  Muse,  besides,  her  duty  thus  approves 

To  virtue,  to  her  country,  to  mankind. 

To  ruling  nature,  that,  in  glorious  charge 

As  to  her  priestess,  gives  it  her  to  hymD 

Whatever  good  and  excellent  she  f  ormf 


ON  BOLUS'S  HARP. 

Etherbal  race,  inhabitants  of  air, 

Who  hymn  your  god  amid  the  secret  grore  ; 

Ye  unseen  beings,  to  my  harp  repair. 

And  raise  majestic  strains,  or  melt  in  love. 

Those  tender  notes,  how  kindly  they  upbraid. 
With  what  soft  woe  they  thrill  the  lover's  heart  I 

Sure  from  the  hand  of  some  unhappy  maid, 

Who  died  for  love,  these  sweet  complainings  part. 

But  hark  !  that  strain  was  of  a  graver  tone, 

On  the  deep  strings  his  hand  some  hermit  throws; 

Or  he,  the  sacred  Bard,  who  sat  alone 

In  the  drear  waste,  and  wept  his  people's  woes. 


HYMN  TO  GOD'S  POWER.  3.'i/ 

Such  was  the  song  which  Zion's  children  sung, 

When  by  Euphrates'  stream  they  made  their  plaint 

And  to  such  sadly  solemn  notes  are  strung 
Angelic  harps,  to  sootlie  a  dying  saint. 

Methinks  I  hear  the  full  celestial  choir, 

Through  Heaven's  high  dome  their  awful  anthem 
raise  ; 
Now  chanting  clear,  and  now  they  all  conspire 

To  swell  the  lofty  hymn  from  praise  to  praise. 

Let  me,  ye  wandering  spirits  of  the  wind, 

Who,  as  wild  fancy  prompts  you,  touch  the  string, 

Smit  with  your  theme,  be  in  your  chorus  joined, 
For,  till  you  cease,  my  Muse  forgets  to  sing. 


HYMN  TO  GOD'S  POWER. 

Hail  !  Power  Divine,  who  by  the  sole  command. 

From  the  dark  empty  space. 
Made  the  broad  sea  and  solid  land 

Smile  with  a  heavenly  grace. 

Made  the  high  mountain  and  firm  rock. 

Where  bleating  cattle  stray  ; 
And  the  strong,  stately,  spreading  oak. 

That  intercepts  the  day. 

The  rolling  planets  thou  madest  move. 

By  thy  effective  will  ; 
And  the  revolving  globes  above 

Their  destined  course   fiillill. 

His  mighty  power,  ye  thunders,    praise. 

As  through  the  lieavens  ye  roll  ; 
And  his  great  name,  ye  iiglitnings,  blaze, 

Unto  the  distant  pole. 


^o8    COMPLAINT  ON  THE  MISERIES  OF  LiFB, 

Ye  seas,  in  your  eternal  roar, 
His  sacred  praise  proclaim  ; 

While  the  inactive  sluggish  shore 
Re-echoes  to  the  same. 

Ye  howling  winds,  howl  out  his  praise, 

And  make  the  forests  bow  ; 
While  through  the  air,  the  earth  and  seas, 
His  solemn  praise  ye  blow. 

O  yon  high  harmonious  spheres, 

Your  powerful  mover  sing  ; 
To  him  your  circling  course  that  steers, 

Your  tuneful  praises  bring. 

Ungrateful  mortals,  catch  the  sound. 

And  in  your  numerous  lays, 
To  all  the  listening  world  around, 

The  God  of  nature  praise. 


A  COMPLAINT  ON  THE  MISERIES  OF  LIFE. 

I  LOATHK,  O  Lord,  this  life  below, 
And  all  its  fading,  fleeting  joys  ; 

*Ti8  a  short  space  that's  filled  with  woe, 
Which  all  our  bliss  by  far  outweighs. 

When  will  the  everlasting  morn 

With  dawning  light  the  skies  adorn  ? 

Fitly  this  life's  compared  to  night, 

When  gloomy  darkness  shades  the  sky  ; 

Just  like  the  morn's  our  glimmering  light, 
Reflected  from  the  Deity. 

When  will  celestial  morn  dispel 

The  dark  surrounding  shades  of  hell  ? 

I'm  sick  of  this  vexatious  state, 

Where  cares  invade  my  peaceful  hours  ; 


TO  THE  REV.  PATRICK  MURDOCH.  859 

Strike  the  last  blow,  O  courteous  fate, 
I'll  smiling  fall  like  mowed  flowers  ; 
I'll  gladly  spurn  this  clogging  clay, 
And,  sweetly  singing,  soar  away. 

What's  money  but  refined  dust  ? 

What's  honor  but  an  empty  name? 
And  what  is  soft  enticing  lust, 

But  a  consuming  idle  flame  ? 
Yea,  what  is  all  beneath  the  sky 
But  emptiness  and  vanity  ? 

With  thousand  ills  our  life's  oppressed. 
There's  nothing  here  worth  living  for  ; 

In  the  lone  grave  I  long  to  rest, 
And  [to]  be  harassed  here  no  more, 

Where  joy's  fantastic,  grief's  sincere, 

And  where  there's  naught  for  which  I  care. 

Thy  word,  O  Lord,  shall  be  my  guide. 

Heaven,  where  thou  dwclle.st,  is  my  goal ; 

Through  corrupt  life  grant  I  may  glide 
With  an  untainted  upward  soul. 

Then  may  this  life,  this  dreary  night. 

Dispelled  be  by  morning  light. 


TO  THE  REVEREND  PATR  (  '     ylUTRDOCH,* 

EECTOE  OF  STRAPiHlALL,  IN  SUFFOLK. 

Thus  safely  low,  my  friend,  thou  canst  not  fall ' 

Here  reigns  a  deep  tranquillity  o'c;  •  all  ; 

No  noise,  no  care,  no  vanity,  no  strife  ; 

Men.  woods,  and  fields,  all  breathe  untroubled  life 

Then  keep  each  passion  down,  lunv vcr  dear  ; 

Trust  me  the  tender  arc  the  most  severe. 

Guard,  while  'tis  tiiiiu',  philosophi;.  case, 


*  The  friend  aud  lji(jgrupUer  ol  Thomson. 


atO  EPITAPH  ON  MISS  STANLEY. 

And  ask  no  joy  but  that  of  virtuous  peace  ; 
That  bids  defiance  to  the  storms  of  fate  : 
High  bliss  is  only  for  a  higher  state  1 


EPITAPH  ON  MISS  STANLEY, 

IN  HOLTWOOB  CHUKCH,  SOUTHAMPTOK. 

E.  S. 

Once  a  lively  image  of  human  nature, 
Such  as  God  made  it 
When  he  pronounced  every  work  of  his  to  be  good, 
To  the  memory  of  Elizabeth  Stanley, 
Daughter  of  George  and  Sarah  Stanley  ; 
Who  to  all  the  beauty,  modesty, 
And  gentleness  of  nature, 
That  ever  adorned  the  most  amiable  ■woman, 
Joined  all  the  fortitude,  elevation. 
And  vigor  of  mind. 
That  ever  exalted  the  most  heroic  man  ; 
Who  having  lived  the    pride  and  delight  of  her 
parents, 
The  joy,  the  consolation,  and  pattern  of  her  friends, 
A  mistress  not  only  of  the  English  and  French, 
But  in  a  high    degree  of  the  Greek    and  Roman 
learning. 
Without  vanity  or  pedantry, 
At  the  age  of  eighteen. 
After  a  tedious,  painful,  desperate  illness, 
Which,  with  a  Roman  spirit. 
And  a  Christian  resignation, 
She  endured  so  calmly,  that  she  seemed  inrfensible 
To  all  pain  and  suffering,  except  that  of  her  friends. 

Gave  up  her  innocent  soul  to  her  Creator, 
And  left  to  her  mother,  who  erected  this  monument, 
The  memory  of  her  virtues  for  her  greatest  support  ; 
Virtues  which,  in  her  sex  and  station  of  life. 


STANZAS.  m, 

Were  all  that  could  be  practiced, 
And  more  than  will  be  believed, 
Except  by  those  who  know  what  this  inscription  re- 
lates. 

Hkrk,  Stanley,  rest !  escaped  this  mortal  strife, 
Above  the  joys,  beyond  the  woes  of  life. 
Fierce  pangs  no  more  thy  lively  beauties  stain. 
And  sternly  try  thee  with  a  year  of  pain  ; 
No  more  sweet  patience,  feigning  oft  relief, 
Lights  thy  sick  eye,  to  cheat  a  parent's  grief ; 
With  tender  art  to  save  her  anxious  groan, 
No  more  thy  bosom  presses  down  its  own  ; 
Now  well-earned  peace  is  thine,  and  bliss  sincere : 
Ours  be  the  lenient,  not  unpleasing  tear ! 

O  born  to  bloom,  then  sink  beneath  the  storm  ; 
To  show  us  virtue  in  her  fairest  form  ; 
To  show  us  artless  reason's  moral  reign, 
What  boastful  science  arrogates  in  vain  ; 
The  obedient  passions  knowing  each  their  part ; 
Calm  light  the  head,  and  harmony  the  heart  ; 

Yes,  we  must  follow  soon,  will  glad  obey  ; 
When  a  few  suns  have  rolled  their  cares  away. 
Tired  with  vain  life,  will  close  the  willing  eye  : 
'Tis  the  great  birthright  of  mankind  to  die. 
Blessed  be  the  bark  that  wafts  us  to  the  shore. 
Where  death-divided  friends  shall  part  no  more  ; 
To  join  thee  there,  here  with  thy  dust  repose. 
Is  all  the  hope  thy  hapless  mother  knows. 


STANZAS 

WKITTEN  BY  THOMSON  ON  TUK  BLANK  LEAF  OF  A 
COPY  OF  niK  "  KKASONS  "  SENT  BY  HIM  TO  MS. 
LYTTLKTON,    SOON    AFTKR    TIIK    DEATH    OF  HItJ    WDfS. 

Go,  little  book,  and  find  our  Friend, 
Who  nature  and  the  Miisch  loves, 

Whose  cares  the  public-  virtues  blend 
With  all  the  softneHu  of  the  groves. 


8tt  PASTORALS. 

A  fitter  time  thou  canst  not  chooM, 
His  fostering  friendship  to  repay  ; 

Go  then,  and  try,  my  rural  muse, 
To  steal  his  widowed  hours  aw»y. 


PASTORALS. 


A  PASTORAL  BETWIXT  DAVID,  THIRSIS 
AND  THE  ANGEL  GABRIEL,  UPON  THE 
BIRTH  OF  OUR  SAVIOR. 


DAVID. 

Wh.  t  means  yon  apparition  in  the  sky, 
Thirsis,  that  dazzles  every  shepherd's  eye  : 
I  slumbering  was  when  from  yon  glorious  cloud 
Came  gliding  music,  heavenly,  sweet,  and  loud, 
With  sacred  raptures  which  my  bosom  fires, 
And  with  celestial  joy  my  soul  inspires  ; 
It  soothes  the  native  horrors  of  the  night, 
And  gladdens  nature  more  than  dawning  light. 

THIBSIS. 

But  hold,  see  hither  through  the  yielding  air. 
An  angel  comes  :  for  mighty  news  prepare. 

ANGEL    GABRIEL. 

Rejoice,  ye  swains,  anticipate  the  mom 

With  songs  of  praise  ;  for  lo  !  a  Savior's  bom. 

With  joyful  haste  to  Bethlehem  repair, 

And  you  will  find  the  Almighty  infant  there  ; 

Wrapped  in  a  swaddling-band  you'll  find  yomr  king. 

And  in  a  manger  laid  ;  to  him  your  praises  bring. 


PASTORALS. 

CHORUS    OF    ANGKLS 

To  God  who  in  the  highest  dwelU, 

Immortal  glory  be  ; 
Let  peace  be  in  the  humble  cells 

Of  Adam's  progeny. 

DAVID, 

No  more  the  year  shall  wintry  horrors  bring  ; 
Fixed  in  the  indulgence  of  eternal  spring, 
Immortal  green  shall  clothe  tlie  hills  and  vales, 
And  odorous  sweets  shall  load  the  balmy  gales  \ 
The  silver  brooks  shall  in  soft  murmurs  tell 
The  joy  that  shall  their  oozy  channels  swell. 
Feed  on,  my  flocks,  and  crop  the  tender  grass. 
Let  blooming  joy  appear  on  every  face  ; 
For  Jo  !  this  blessed,  this  propitious  morn. 
The  Savior  of  lost  mankind  is  born. 

THIRSIS. 

Thou  fairest  morn  that  ever  sprang  from  night, 
Or  decked  the  opening  skies  with  rosy  light. 
Well  mayest  thou  shine  with  a  distinguished  ray, 
Since  here  Emmanuel  condescends  to  stay. 
Or  fears,  our  guilt,  or  darkness  to  dispel, 
And  save  us  from  the  horrid  jaws  of  hell. 
Who  from  his  throne  descended,  matchless  love  J 
To  guide  poor  mortals  to  ])l('sscd  seats  above  : 
But  come  without  delay,  let  us  be  gone, 
Shepherd,  let's  go,  and  humbly  kiss  the  Son, 


M4  PASTORALS. 

A  PASTORAL  BETWEEN  THIRSIS  AND 
CORYDON ; 

UPON  THS  DEATH  OF  DAMON,    BY  WHOM   IS   MEANT   MB, 
W.    RIDDELL, 

THIRSIS. 

Say,  tell  me  true,  what  is  the  doleful  cause 
That  Corydon  is  not  the  man  he  was  ? 
Your  cheerful  presence  used  to  lighten  cares, 
And  from  the  plains  to  banish  gloomy  fears. 
Whene'er  unto  the  circling  swains  you  sung, 
Our  ravished  souls  upon  the  music  hung  ; 
The  gazing,  listening  flocks  forgot  their  meat. 
While  vocal  grottos  did  your  lays  repeat  : 
But  now  your  gravity  our  mirth  rebukes, 
And  in  your  downcast  and  desponding  looks 
Appears  some  fatal  and  impending  woe  ; 
I  fear  to  ask,  and  yet  desire  to  know. 

CORYDON. 

The  doleful  news  how  shall  I,  Thirsis,  tell  ! 
In  blooming  youth  the  hapless  Damon  fell : 
He's  dead,  he's  dead,  and  with  him  all  my  joy  ; 
The  mournful  thought  does  all  gay  forms  destroy 
This  is  the  cause  of  my  unusual  grief, 
Which  sullenly  admits  of  no  relief. 

THIB8I8. 

Begone  all  mirth  !  begone  all  sports  and  play. 
To  a  deluge  of  grief  and  tears  give  way. 
Damon  the  just,  the  generous,  and  the  young. 
Must  Damon's  worth  and  merit  be  unsung  ? 
No,  Corydon,  the  wondrous  youtli  you  knew, 
How  as  in  years  so  he  in  virtue  grew  ; 
Embalm  his  fame  in  never-v  .ying  verse, 
A»  a  just  tribute  to  his  doleful  hearse. 


fAST\>ltALS.  86d 


COBYDON. 


Assist  me,  mighty  grief,  my  breast  inspire 
With  generous  heats,  and  with  thy  wildest  fire, 
While  in  a  solemn  and  a  mournful  strain, 
Of  Damon  gone  forever  I  complain. 
Ye  muses,  weep  ;  your  mirth  and  songs  forbear, 
And  for  him  sigh  and  shed  a  friendly  tear  ; 
He  was  your  favorite,  and  by  your  aid 
In  charming  verse  his  witty  thoughts  arrayed  ; 
He  had  of  knowledge,  learning,  wit,  a  store, 
To  it  denied  he  still  pressed  after  more. 
He  was  a  pious  and  a  virtuous  soul. 
And  still  pressed  forward  to  the  heavenly  goal ; 
He  was  a  faithful,  true,  and  constant  friend. 
Faithful,  and  true,  and  constant  to  the  end. 
Ye  flowers,  liang  down  and  droop  your  heads, 
No  more  around  your  grateful  odors  spread  ; 
Ye  leafy  trees,  your  blooming  lienors  shed, 
Damon  forever  from  your  shade  is  fled  ; 
Fled  to  the  mansions  of  eternal  light. 
Where  endless  wonders  strike  bis  happy  sight. 
Ye  birds,  be  mute,  as  through  the  trees  you  fly. 
Mute  as  the  grave  wherein  my  friend  does  lie. 
Ye  winds,  breathe  sighs  as  tiirough  the  air  you  rove^ 
And  in  sad  pomp  the  trembling  branches  move. 


Ye  gliding  brooks,  O  weep  your  channels  dry. 
My  flowing  tears  them  fully  shall  supj)ly  ; 
You  in  soft  murmurs  may  your  grief  express, 
And  yours,  you  swains,  in  mournful  songs  confeaa  j 
I  to  some  dark  and  gloomy  shade  will  fly, 
Dark  as  the  grave  wherein  i«y  friend  does  lie  ; 
And  for  his  death  to  lonely  ro(;ks  complain. 
In  mournful  accents  and  a  dying  straio, 
While  pining  echo  answers  me  again. 


IM  PASTOJiALS. 


A  PASTORAL  ENTERTAINMENT. 

While  in  heroic  numbers  some  relate 

"J'he  amazing  turns  of  wise  eternal  fate ; 

Exploits  of  heroes  in  the  dusty  field, 

That  to  her  name  immortal  honor  yield  ; 

Grant  me,  ye  powers,  fast  by  the  limpid  spring 

The  harmless  reveL  of  the  plain  to  sing. 

At  a  rich  feast,  kept  each  revolving  year, 

Their  fleecy  care  when  joyful  shepherds  shear, 

A   wreath   of   flowers    nulled  from  the   neighboring 

lands 
Is  all  the  prize  my  humble  muse  demands. 

Now  blithesome  shepherds,  by  the  early  dawn, 
Their  new-shorn  flocks  drive  to  the  dewy  lawn  ; 
While,  in  a  bleating  language,  each  salutes 
The  welcome  morning,  and  their  fellow  brutes  ; 
Then  all  prepared  for  the  rural  feast. 
And  in  their  finest  Sunday  habits  drest ; 
The  crystal  brook  supplied  the  mirror's  place, 
. .  .they  bathed  and  viewed  their  cleanly  face, 

and  nymphs  resortid  to  the  fields 

pomp  the  country  yields. 

The  place  appointed  was  a  spacious  vale, 
Fanned  always  by  a  cooling  western  gale. 
Which  in  soft  breezes  through  the  meadows  stray, 
And  steal  the  ripened  fragrances  away  ; 
With  native  incense  all  the  air  perfumes. 
Renewing  with  its  genial  breath  the  blooms  , 
Here  every  shepherd  might  his  flocks  survey, 
Securely  roam,  and  take  his  harmless  play  ; 
And  here  were  flowers  each  shepherdess  to  graoi^ 
On  her  fair  bosom  courting  but  a  place. 

Here  in  this  vale,  beneath  .   grateful  shade, 
By  twining  boughs  of  spreading  beeches  mad«, 
On  seats  of  homely  turf  themselves  they  rest. 
And  cheerfully  enjoyed  their  rural  feast. 
Consisting  of  the  produce  of  tlie  fields. 
And  all  the  luxury  the  country  yields. 


SONGS.  Wt 

So  maddening  liquors   spoiled  their  harmless  mirth,* 
But  an  untainted  spring  their  thirst  allayed, 
Which  in  meanders  through  the  valley  strayed. 
Thrice  happy  swains,  who  spend  your  golden  day* 
In  country  pastime  ;  and  when  night  displays 
Her  sable  shade,  to  peaceful  huts  retire  ; 
Can  any  man  a  sweeter  bliss  desire  ? 
In  ancient  times  so  passed  the  smiling  hour, 
When  our  first  parents  lived  in  Eden's  bower, 
Ere  care  and  trouble  were  pronounced  on. 
Or  sin  had  blasted  the  creation's  bio .... 


SONGS. 


A  NUPTIAL  SONG. 

Come,  gentle  Venus  !  and  assuage 
A  warring  world,  a  bleeding  age. 
For  nature  lives  beneath  thy  ray, 
The  wintry  tempests  haste  away, 
A  lucid  calm  invests  the  sea,   , 
Thy  native  deep  is  full  of  thee  ; 
The  flowering  earth  where'er  you  fly, 
Is  all  o'er  spring,  all  sun  the  sky  ; 
A  genial  spirit  warms  the  breeze, 
Unseen  among  the  blooming  trees, 
The  feathered  lovers  tune  their  throat. 
The  desert  growls  a  softened  note, 
Glad  o'er  the  meads  the  cattle  bound. 
And  love  and  harmony  gu  round. 

But  chief  into  the  human  heart 
Fou  strike  the  dear  dt'licious  dart ; 
You  teach  us  pleasing  i)aiigs  to  know, 
T«  languish  in  luxurious  woe, 
To  feel  the  generous  passions  rise, 
Grow  good  by  gazing  ;  mild  by  sighs  ; 


A  line  to  complete  the  couplet,  uppeara  to  i)e  deflcieat  b«r«k 


868  SONGS. 

Each  happy  moment  to  improve. 
And  fill  the  perfect  year  with  love. 

Come,  thou  delight  of  heaven  and  eartk 
To  whom  all  creatures  owe  their  birth  ; 
Oh,  come,  sweet  smiling  !  tender,  come ! 
And  yet  prevent  our  final  doom. 
For  long  the  furious  god  of  war 
Has  crushed  us  with  his  iron  car, 
Has  raged  along  our  ruined  plains, 
Has  soiled  them  with  his  cruel  stains, 
Has  sunk  our  youth  in  endless  sleep, 
And  made  the  widowed  virgin  weep. 
Now  let  him  feel  thy  wonted  charms. 
Oh,  take  him  to  thy  twining  arms  ! 
And,  while  thy  bosom  heaves  on  his, 
While  deep  he  prints  the  humid  kiss. 
Ah,  then  I  his  stormy  heart  control. 
And  sigh  thyself  into  his  souL 


TO  HER  I  LOVE. 

Tkll  me,  thou  soul  of  her  I  love, 
Ah  I  tell  me,  whither  art  thou  fled ; 

To  what  delightful  world  above, 
Appointed  for  the  happy  dead  ? 

Or  dost  ,hou,  free,  at  pleasure,  roam 
And  sometimes  share  thy  lover's  woe 

Where,  v^oid  of  thee,  his  cheerless  hom« 
Can  now,  alas  !  no  comfort  know  : 

Oh  1  if  thou  hoverest  round  my  walk, 
While,  under  every  well-known  tree^ 

I  to    hy  fancied  shadow  talk, 
And  every  tear  is  full  of  thee  ; 

Should  then  the  weary  eye  of  grief, 
Reside  some  sympathetic  stream, 

In  h1  umber  find  a  short  relief, 

Or  visit  thou  my  scathing  dream  I 


soj\rGs.  am 

TO  THE  GOD  OF  FOND  DESIRE. 

Okb  day  the  God  of  fond  desire, 

On  mischief  bent,  to  Damon  said, 
"  Why  not  disclose  yoixr  tender  fire, 

Nor  own  it  to  the  lovely  maid  ?  " 

The  shepherd  marked  his  treacherous  art, 

And,  softly  sighing,  thus  replied  : 
"  ^Tis  true  you  have  subdued  my  lieart. 

But  shall  not  triumph  o'er  ray  pride. 

**  The  slave,  in  private  only  bears 

Your  bondage,  who  his  love  conceals  ; 

But  when  his  passion  he  declares, 

You  drag  him  at  your  chariot  wheels." 


THE  LOVER'S  FATE. 

Hard  is  the  fate  of  him  who  loves. 
Yet  dares  not  tell  his  trembling  pain, 

But  to  the  sympathetic  groves. 
But  to  the  lonely  listening  plain. 

Oh  !  when  she  blesses  next  your  shade, 
Oh  !  when  her  footsteps  next  are  seen 

In  flowery  traots  along  the  mead, 
In  fresner  mazes  o'er  the  green  ; 

Ye  gentle  spirits  of  the  vale. 

To  whom  the  tears  of  love  are  dear, 

From  dying  lilies  waft  the  gale, 
And  sigh  my  sorrows  in  her  car. 

Oh  !  tell  her  what  slu;  cannot  blame, 

Though  fear  my  tongue  must  ever  bind  } 

Oh,  tell  her,  that  my  virtuous  tlatru! 
Is,  as  her  spotless  soul,  rc^fiucd. 

Not  her  own  guardian-angel  eyes 
With  chapter  tenderness  his  care. 


tW  SONGS. 

Not  purer  her  own  wishes  rise, 

Not  holier  her  own  sighs  in  prayer. 

But  if,  at  first,  her  virgin  fear 

Should  start  at  love's  suspected  name, 

With  that  of  friendship  soothe  her  ear  — 
True  love  and  friendship  are  the  same. 


TO  THE  NIGHTINGALE. 

O  NiGHTiNGALB,  best  poet  of  the  grove, 

That  plaintive  strain  can  ne'er  belong  to  thee, 
Blessed  in  the  full  possession  of  thy  love  : 

0  lend  that  strain,  sweet  Nightingale,  to  me  ! 

*Ti8  mine,  alas  !  to  mourn  a  wretched  fate  : 

1  love  a  maid  who  all  my  bosom  charms, 
Yet  lose  my  days  without  this  lovely  mate  ; 

Inhuman  fortune  keeps  her  from  my  arms. 

You  happy  birds  !  by  nature's  simple  laws 

Lead  your  soft  lives,  sustained  by  nature's  fare  ; 

You  dwell  wherever  roving  fancy  draws, 
And  love  and  song  is  all  your  pleasing  care  : 

But  we,  vain  slaves  of  interest  and  of  pride. 
Dare  not  be  blessed,  lest  envious  tongue  should 
blame  ; 

And  hence,  in  vain  I  languish  for  my  bride  ! 

O  mourn  with  me,  sweet  bird,  my  hapless  flamg 


TO  MYRA. 

O  THOU,  whose  tender  serious  eyes 
Expressive  speak  the  mind  I  love  : 

The  gentle  azure  of  the  skies. 

The  pensive  shadows  of  the  grove  ; 


SONGS.  m 

O  mix  their  beauteous  beams  with  mine, 
And  let  us  interchange  our  hearts  ; 

IiCt  all  their  sweetness  on  me  shiae, 

Poured  through  my  soul  be  all  their  darta. 

Ah  !  'tis  too  much  !  I  cannot  bear 

At  once  so  soft,  so  keen  a  ray  : 
In  pity  then,  my  lovely  fair, 

O  turn  those  killing  eyes  away  I 

But  what  avails  it  to  conceal 

One  charm,  where  naught  but  charms  I  wm  f 
Their  luster  then  again  reveal, 

And  let  me,  Myra,  die  of  thee  I 


SONG. 

When  blooming  spring 
Arrays  the  laughing  fields  in  green, 
Then  flowers  in  open  air  are  seen. 
And  warbling  birds  are  heard  to  sing. 
Almighty  love 
Doth  sweetly  move 
All  nature  through  ; 
Then  tell  me,  Chloe,  why  are  you 
Averse  thereto  ; 
Wlien  blooming  charms 
Invite  your  lovei's  circling  armaV 
O  be  no  longer  coy 

to  love  and  share  of  joy. 


9M  AMANDA. 

AMANDA. 

TO  LOVE. 

SwBET  tyrant  Love, —  but  hear  me  now  f 
And  cure  while  young  this  pleasing  smart  j 

Or  rather  aid  my  trembling  vow, 
And  teach  me  to  reveal  my  heart. 

Tell  her,  whose  goodness  is  my  bane. 

Whose  looks  have  smiled  my  peace  away, 

Oh  !  whisper  how  she  gives  me  pain. 
Whilst  undesigning,  frank,  and  gay. 

nris  not  for  common  charms  I  sigh. 
For  what  the  vulgar  beauty  call  ; 

'Tis  not  a  cheek,  a  lip,  an  eye, 

But  'tis  the  soul  that  lights  them  all  I 

For  that  I  drop  the  tender  tear. 
For  that  I  make  this  artless  moan  ; 

Oh  !  sigh  it  Love  !  into  her  ear. 
And  makes  the  bashful  lover  known. 


TO  AMANDA. 

Comb,  dear  Amanda,  quit  the  town, 

And  to  the  rural  hamlets  fly  ; 
Behold  !  the  wintry  storms  are  gone  ; 

A  gentle  radianct*  glads  the  sky. 

The  birds  awake,  the  flowers  appear. 

Earth  spreads  a  verdant  couch  for  thee; 

'TIS  joy  and  music  all  we  hear, 
*Ti8  love  and  beauty  all  we  see. 


AMANDA,  S78 

Come,  let  us  mark  the  gradual  spring, 
How  peeps  the  bud,  the  blossom  blowi ; 

Till  Philomel  begins  to  sing, 

And  perfect  May  to  swell  the  rose. 

E'en  so  thy  rising  charms  improve, 

As  life's  warm  season  grows  more  bright ; 

And,  opening  to  the  sighs  of  love, 
Thy  beauties  glow  with  full  delight. 


TO  AMANDA. 

Unlkss  with  my  Amanda  blessed. 

In  vain  I  twine  the  woodbine  bower ; 
Unless  to  dock  her  sweeter  breast. 

In  vain  I  rear  the  breathing  flower. 
Awakened  by  the  genial  year, 

In  vain  the  birds  around  me  sing  ; 
In  vain  the  freshening  fields  a])pear  :  — 

Without  my  love  there  is  no  Spring. 


VERSES  ADDRESSED  TO  AMANDA. 

Ah,  urged  too  late  !  from  beauty's  bondage  free, 

Why  did  I  trust  my  liberty  with  thee  ? 

And  thou,  why  didst  thou,  with  inhuman  art, 

If  not  resolved  to  take,  seduce  my  heart? 

Yes,  yes,  you  said,  for  lover's  eyes  speak  true  ; 

You  must  have  seen  how  fast  my  [)assio?i  grew  : 

And.  when  your  glances  elianced  on  mo  to  shine. 

How  my  fond  soul  ecstatic  sprimg  to  iMne  ! 

But  mark  me,  fair  one  —  what  1  now  declare 

Thy  deep  attentioTi  claims  and  serious  care  : 

It  is  no  common  passion  lires  iny  breast  ; 

I  must  be  wretched,  or  I  must  be  l)l('ssed  I 

My  woes  all  other  rcinudy  deny  ; 

Or,  pitying,  give  mc;  hope,  or  bid  me  di«  1 


AMANDA. 
TO  THE  SAME, 

WITH    A    COPY    OF   THB    "  SEASONS.' 

AccBPT,  loved  Nymph,  this  tribute  due 
To  tender  friendship,  love,  and  you  : 
But  with  it  take  what  breathed  the  whole^ 
O  take  to  thine  the  poet's  soul. 
If  Fancy  here  her  power  displays, 
And  if  a  heart  exaits  these  lajs  — 
You,  fairest,  in  tha'  fancy  shine, 
And  all  that  heart  is  fondly  thine. 


TO  FORTUNE. 

Forever,  Fortune,  wilt  thou  prove 
An  unrelenting  foe  to  love, 
And  when  we  meet  a  mutual  heart 
Come  in  between,  and  bid  us  part ; 

Bid  us  sigh  on  from  day  to  day, 
And  wish,  and  wish  the  soul  away  ; 
Till  youth  and  genial  years  are  flown. 
And  all  the  love  of  life  is  gone  ? 

But  busy,  busy  still  art  thou. 
To  bind  the  loveless,  joyless  vow. 
The  heart  from  pleasure  to  delude, 
And  join  the  gentle  to  the  rude. 

For  pomp,  and  noise,  and  senseless  show 
To  make  us  Nature's  joys  forego. 
Beneath  a  gay  dominion  groan, 
And  put  the  golden  fetter  on  ! 

For  once,  O  Fortune,  hear  my  prayer, 
And  I  absolve  thy  future  care  ; 
Al.  vUher  blessings  I  resicyn, 
Make  but  the  dear  Amanda  mine. 


SO/^GS  IH  THE  MASQUE  OF  A  LP  RED.        S<A 

COME,  GENTLE  GOD 

Come,  gentle  God  of  soft  desire, 
Come  and  possess  my  happy  breast. 

Not  fury-like  in  flames  and  fire, 
Or  frantic  folly's  wildness  dressed  ; 

But  come  in  friendship's  angel-guise  ; 

Yet  dearer  thou  than  friendship  art, 
More  tender  spirit  in  thy  eyes, 

More  sweet  emotions  at  thy  heart. 

O,  come  with  goodness  in  thy  train, 
With  peace  and  pleasure  void  of  storm. 

And  wouldst  thou  me  forever  gain. 
Put  on  Amanda's  winning  form. 


SONGS  IN  THE  MASQUE  OF 
ALFRED* 


TO  PEACE. 

O  PEACE  !  the  fairest  child  of  heaven, 
To  whom  the  sylvan  reign  was  given. 
The  vale,  the  fountain,  and  the  grove, 
With  every  softer  scene  of  love  : 
Return,  sweet  Peace  !   and  cheer  the  weeping  swain  J 
Return,  with  Ease  and  Pleasure  in  thy  train. 


*  This  masque  was  the  juliit  pr^xluction  of  Thomson  and 
Mallet,  and  it  is  now  iii.poHsihIf  to  (l(,'t(;rinine  llieii  individual 
cluinm  lo  the  authorship  of  these  uongs. 


I7«        SONGS  IN  TH£.  MASQUE  OF  ALFRED, 
TO  ALFRED. 


FIRST   SPIRIT. 


Hear,  Alfred,  father  of  the  state, 

Thy  genius  Heaven's  high  will  declare  I 

What  proves  the  hero  truly  great, 
Is  never,  never  to  despair  : 
Is  never  to  despair. 

SECOND    SPIRIT. 

Thy  hope  awake,  thy  heart  expand, 
with  all  its  vigor,  all  its  fires. 

Arise  !  and  save  a  sinking  land  ! 

Thy  country  calls,  and  heaven  inspires. 

BOTH    SPIRITS. 

Earth  calls,  and  Heaven  inspires. 


SWEET  VALLEY,  SAY. 

Sweet  valley,  say,  where,  pensive  lying, 
For  me,  our  children,  England,  sighing, 
The  best  of  raoi'tals  leans  his  head. 
Ye  fountains,  dimpled  by  my  sorrow. 
Ye  brooks  that  my  complainings  borrow, 

0  lead  me  to  his  lonely  bed  ; 

Or  if  my  lover. 
Deep  woods,  you  cover. 
Ah  whisper  where  your  shadows  o'er  him  spreacL 

'Tls  not  the  loss  of  pomp  and  pleasure, 
Of  empire  or  of  tinsel  treasure. 

That  drops  this  tear,  that  swells  this  groan  : 
No  ;  from  a  nobler  cause  proceeding, 
A  heart  with  love  and  fondness  bleeding, 

1  breathe  my  sadly  pleasing  moan, 

With  other  anguish 
I  scorn  to  languish, 
For  love  will  feel  no  sorrows  but  his  own. 


SONGS  IN  THE  MASQUE  OF  ALFRED.         87' 

FROM  THOSE  ETERNAL  REGIONS. 

From  those  eternal  regions  briglit, 

Where  suns,  that  never  set  in  night, 

Diffuse  the  golden  day  ; 
Where  Spring,  unfading,  pours  around, 
O'er  all  the  dew-impearled  ground, 

Her  thousand  colors  gay  ; 
O  whether  on  the  fountain's  flowery  side, 

Whence  living  waters  glide, 

Or  in  the  fragrant  grove, 
Whose  shade  embosoms  peace  and  love. 
New  pleasures  all  our  hours  employ, 
And  ravish  every  sense  with  every  joy  I 

Great  heirs  of  empire  !  yt-t  unborn. 

Who  shall  this  island  late  adorn  ; 
A  monarch's  drooping  thought  to  cheer, 

Appear  !  appear  !  appear  ! 


CONTENTMENT. 

If  those  who  live  in  shepherd's  bower, 
Press  not  the  rich  and  stately  bed  ; 

The  new-mown  hay  and  breathing  flower 
A  softer  couch  beneath  them  spread. 

If  those  who  sit  at  shepherd's  board. 
Soothe  not  their  taste  by  wanton  art  ; 

They  take  what  Nature's  gifts  afford. 
And  take  it  with  a  cheerful  heart. 

If  those  who  drain  the  shepherd's  Ijowl, 
No  high  and  sparkling  wiTies  can  boast  ; 

With  wholesome  cups  they  chcci-  the  soul, 
And  crowns  them  witli  the  village  toast. 

If  those  who  join  in  shepherd's  sports, 
Gay  dancing  on  the  <laisied  ground, 

Have  not  the  splendor  of  a  court  ; 
Yet  love  adorns  the  merry  round. 


378  SONGS  IN  THE  MASQUE  OF  ALFRED. 

RULE,  BRITANNIA! 

WITH    VARIATIONS. 

When  Britain  first,  at,  Heaven's  command. 

Arose,  from  out  the  azure  main, 
This  was  the  charter  of  the  land, 

Afid  guardian  angels  sung  this  strain, 
"Rule,  Britannia,  rule  the  waves, 
Britons  never  will  be  slaves." 

The  nations,  not  so  blessed  as  thee. 
Must,  in  their  turns,  to  tyrants  fall, 

While  thou  shalt  flourish  great  and  free, 
The  dread  and  envy  of  them  all. 
"Rule,"  &c. 

Still  more  majestic  shalt  thou  rise, 

More  dreadful  from  each  foreign  stroke 

As  the  loud  blast  that  tears  the  skies 
Serves  but  to  root  thy  native  oak. 
"  Rule,"  &c. 

Thee  haughty  tyrants  ne'er  shall  tame; 

All  their  attempts  to  bend  tliee  down 
Will  but  arouse  thy  generous  flame, 

But  work  their  woe,  and  thy  renowm. 
"Rule,"&c. 

To  thee  belongs  the  rural  reign; 

Thy  cities  shall  with  commerce  shine; 
All  thine  shall  be  the  subject  main; 

And  every  shore  it  circles  thine. 
"  Rule,"  &c. 

The  Muses,  still  with  freedom  found. 

Shall  to  thy  happy  coast  repair; 
Blessed  isle  !  with  matchless  beauty  crowned 
And  manly  hearts  to  guard  the  fair: 
"  Hule,  Britannia,  rule  the  waves, 
Britons  never  will  be  slaves." 


PROLOGUES  AND  EPILOGUES.  379 

PROLOGUES  AND  EPILOGUES. 

EPILOGUE    TO    ''AGAMEMNON." 

Our  bard,  to  modern  epilogue  a  foe, 

Thinks  such  mean  mirth  but  deadens  generous  woe; 

Dispels  in  idle  air  the  moral  sigh, 

And  wipes  the  tender  tear  from  Pity's  eye: 

No  more  with  social  warmth  the  bosom  burns; 

But  all  the  unfeeling  selfish  man  returns. 

Thus  he  began: — And  you  approved  tlie  strain; 
Till  the  next  couplet  sunk  to  light  and  vain. 
You  checked  him  there. —  To  you,  to  reason  just. 
He  owns  he  triumphed  in  your  kind  disgust. 
Charmed  by  your  frown,  by  j'our  displeasure  graced. 
He  hails  the  rising  virtue  of  your  taste.* 
Wide  will  its  influence  spread  as  soon  as  known; 
Truth  to  be  loved,  needs  only  to  be  shown. 
Confirm  it  once,  the  fashion  to  be  good 
(Since  fashion  leads  the  fool,  and  awes  the  rude), 
X(j  petulance  shall  wound  the  public  air; 
No  hand  applaud  what  honor  shuns  to  hear; 
No  ])aiiiful  blush  the  modest  cheek  shall  stain; 
The  worthy  breast  shall  heave  with  no  disdain. 
Chastised  to  decency  the  British  stage 
Shall  oft  invite  the  fair,  invite  the  sage: 
Both  shall  attend  well  ])leased,  well  pleased  depart; 
Or  if  they  doom  the  verse,  absolve  the  heart. 


PROLOGUE  TO  MALLET'S  "MUSTAPHA."t 

SiNCK  Athens  first  began  to  draw  mankind, 
To  picture  life,  and  show  the  impassioned  mind; 
The  truly  wise  have  ever  deemed  the  stage, 
TIjo  moral  school  of  each  enli<rhtoned  atre. 


•  Sir  riurria  Nicholas  concludes,  from  these  Hnes,  that  th« 
jri(.;iiml  epilogue  was  (jtlcnHivo  from  itn  indehcacy. 
t  rroducbd  at  Drury  Liiui:,  KUh  February  173y. 


ddO  PROLOGUES  AND  EPILOGUES. 

There,  in  fall  pomp,  the  Tragic  Muse  appears 

Queen  of  soft  sorrows,  and  of  useful  fears. 

Faint  is  the  lesson  reason's  rules  impart ; 

She  pours  it  strong,  and  instant  through  the  heart 

If  virtue  is  her  theme,  we  sudden  glow 

With  generous  flame  ;  and  what  we  feel  we  grow. 

If  vice  she  paints,  indignant  passions  rise  ; 

The  villain  sees  himself  with  loathing  eyes, 

His  soul  starts,  conscious,  at  another's  groan, 

And  the  pale  tyrant  trembles  on  his  throne. 

To-night,  our  meaning  scene  attempts  to  show 
What  fell  events  from  dark  suspicion  flow  ; 
Chief  wken  it  taints  a  lawless  monarch's  mind, 
To  the  false  herd  of  flattering  slaves  confined. 
The  soul  sinks  gradual  to  so  dire  a  state. 
E'en  excellence  but  serves  to  feed  its  hate  ; 
To  hate  remorseless  cruelty  succeeds. 
And  every  worth,  and  every  virtue  bleeds. 

Behold,  our  author  at  your  bar  appears. 
His  modest  hopes  depressed  by  conscious  fears. 
Faults  he  has  many  —  but  to  balance  those. 
His  verse  with  heart-felt  love  of  virtue  glows. 
All  slighter  errors  let  indulgence  spare. 
And  be  his  equal  trial  full  and  fair. 
For  this  best  British  privilege  we  call. 
Then  —  as  he  merits,  let  him  stand  or  fall. 


PROLOGUE     TO     "TANCRED     AND     SIGIS 
MUNDA." 

BoLj)  I3  the  man  !   who,  in  this  nicer  age, 
Presumes  to  tread  the  chaste  corrected  stage. 
Now,  with  gay  tinsel  arts,  we  can  no  more 
Conceal  the  want  of  Nature's  sterling  ore. 
Our  spells  are  vanished,  broke  our  magic  wand. 
That  used  to  waft  you  over  sea  and  land. 
Before  your  light  the  fairy  people  fade, 
The  demons  fly  —  the  ghost  itself  is  laid. 


PROLOGUES  AND  EPILOGUES.  Ml 

In  vain  of  martial  scenes  the  loud  alarms, 
The  mighty  prompter  thundering  out  to  arms. 
The  playhouse  posse  clattering  from  afar, 
The  close-wedged  battle,  and  the  din  of  war. 
Now,  even  the  senate  seldom  we  convene  ; 
The  yawning  fathers  nod  behind  the  scene. 
Your  taste  rejects  the  glittering  false  sublime, 
To  sigh  in  metaphor,  and  die  in  rhyme. 
High  rant  is  tumbled  from  his  gallery  throne  ; 
Description  dreams  —  nay,  similes  are  gone. 

What  shall  we  then  ?  to  please  you  how  devise, 
"Whose  judgment  sits  not  in  your  ears  and  eyes  ? 
Thrice  happy  !  could  we  catcii  great  Shakespeare's  art^ 
To  trace  the  deep  recesses  of  the  heart  ; 
His  simple  plain  sublime,  to  which  is  given 
To  strike  the  soul  with  darted  flame  from  heaven  ; 
Could  we  awake  soft  Otway's  tender  woe, 
The  pomp  of  verse  and  golden  lines  of  Rowe. 

We  to  your  hearts  apply  ;  let  them  attend  ; 
Before  their  silent,  candid  bar  we  bend. 
If  warmed,  they  listen,  'tis  our  noblest  praise  ; 
If  cold  they  wither  all  the  muse's  bays. 


EPILOGUE     TO     "TANCRED     AMD     SIGJ«' 
MUNDA." 

Crammed  to  the  throat    with  whoh-sonie  moral  stuff, 

Alas  !  y)Oor  audience  !  you  have  had  enough. 

Was  ever  hapless  h(;rouie  of  a  play 

III  siH^h  a  {)iteouK  ))light  as  ours  to-day  ? 

Was  ever  woinin  so  hv  h)ve  betrayed  V 

Matched  by  two  husl)ands,  ami  yet    -  die  a  maid. 

But   bless    nie  !  —  lioid  —  What    sounds    are   these    I 

hear  !  — 
I  see  the  Tragic  Muse  herself  appear. 


3S3  PROLOGUES  AND  EPILOGUES, 

\Theha/6k Mtne  opens,  and  discovers  a  romantic  sylvan  land 
teape  ;  from  which  Mrs.  Gibber,  in  the  character  of  the  Traai 
Mtue,  advances  slowly  to  music,  and  speaks  tliefollowiiw  Unts ' 

Hence  with  your  flippant  epilogue,  that  tries 
To  wipe  th«  virtuous  tear  from  British  eyes  ; 
That  darwi  my  moral,  tragic  scene  profane, 
With  strains  —  at  best,  unsuiting,  light  and  vam 
Hence  from  the  pure  unsullied  beams  that  play 
In  yon  fair  eyes  where  virtue  shines  —  Away  ! 

Britons  to  you  from  chaste  Castalian  groves. 
Where  dwell  the  tender,  oft  unhappy  loves  ! 
Where  shades  of  heroes  roam,  each  mighty  name. 
And  court  my  aid  to  rise  again  to  fame  : 
To  you  I  come,  to  Freedom's  noblest  seat, 
And  in  Britannia  fix  my  last  retreat. 

In  Greece  and  Rome,  I  watched  the  public  weal, 
The  purple  tyrant  trembled  at  my  steel  ; 
Nor  did  I  less  o'er  private  sorrows  reign, 
And  mend  the  melting  heart,  with  softer  pam. 
On  France  and  you  then  rose  my  brightening  star, 
With  social  ray  —  the  arts  are  ne'er  at  war. 
O,  as  your  fire  and  genius  stronger  blaze, 
\8  yours  ai-e  generous  Freedom's  bolder  lars 
Let  not  the  Gallic  taste  leave  your's  behind, 
In  decent  manners  and  in  life  refined  ; 
Banish  the  motley  mode  to  tag  low  verse, 
The  laughing  ballad  to  the  mournful  hearse, 
^hen  through  five   acts    your   hearts  have  learnt  i 

glow, 
Touched  with  the  sacred  force  of  honest  woe  ; 
O  keep  the  dear  impression  on  your  breaat, 
N^or  idly  lose  it  for  a  wretched  jest. 


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